Gharial (Gavialis gangeticus) Fact Sheet: Summary

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Reptilia - reptiles

Order: Crocolidia - crocodilians

Family: Gavialidae - gharials, gavials

Genus: Gavialis

Species: Gavialis gangeticus

Body Weight
159-181 kg (350 - 400 lb), on average
Maximum: 680 kg (1,500 lb)

Body Length
Males: 4 - 4.5 m (13 - 15 ft ), up to 6 m (19.7 ft).
Females: 3.5 - 4 m (11.5 - 13 ft)

Tail Length
3 to 5 times as long as it is broad at the base.

Coloration
Light tan or olive color with darker bands along back and tail.
 

Range
Small areas of India and Nepal. Once found through the Indian subcontinent.

Habitat
Rivers, deep riverine pools, sandy banks at a river's edge

IUCN Status
Critically Endangered (2017 assessment)

CITES Appendix
Appendix I

Wild populations
Range-wide estimates needed. Perhaps 300-900, according to the IUCN's 2017 assessment. Hundreds of hatchlings bred in managed care breeding programs and released, but survival rates not yet investigated.

Locomotion
Excellent swimmers. Do not move well on land, unlike other crocodilians—can only slide on their bellies.

Activity Cycle
Spend most time sun basking, resting, and foraging.

Social Groups
Single adult male and several females.

Diet
Mainly fish; also, aquatic frogs. Occasionally other food items.

Predators
Adult gharials: humans
Egg predators: pigs, jackals, monitor lizards, and mongooses

Sexual Maturity
Females: 10 years of age
Males: 13 years of age

Incubation period
70 days

Clutch Size
40-80 eggs

Nesting period
March and April

Birth Weight
75-130 g (2.6 - 4.6 oz)

Typical Life Expectancy
Not reported

Feature Facts

• The name "gharial" comes from a Hindi word for a clay pot with a long neck, similar to the shape of an adult male gharial's (bulbous) snout
• The male's bulbous snout alters vocalizations, making a buzzing rather than the hissing sound typical of crocodilians; may be important in courtship and/or communicating over longer distances
• Once considered a conservation success, but efforts have "back slid" since the 1990s; only about 200 mature individuals remaining (as of 2017)
• One of the largest crocodilians; can be as long/heavy as a saltwater crocodile
• The only crocodilian which is sexual dimorphic, meaning some characteristics differ between females and males
• Bulbous knob on male's nose is made of cartilage
• Adapted for an aquatic lifestyle; has difficulty moving on land
• Hatchlings stay close to their mother for protection; male allowed nearby—sometimes carries hatchlings on his back
• San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance received 10 gharial from India as a breeding loan in 2012