Gavialis gangeticus, commonly known as the gharial or Ganges crocodile, is a species of reptile belonging to the Gavialidae family, recognizable by its characteristic long and narrow snout. This crocodile mainly inhabits the rivers of India and Nepal and is well adapted to an aquatic environment, spending most of its life in the water. Its snout, extremely elongated and thin compared to other crocodile species, allows it to agilely catch fish, its main source of food. This snout widens slightly at the base and becomes even more tapered in adult individuals, being particularly noticeable in males, which develop a bulbous protuberance at the end, known as a "ghara", which allows them to emit low-pitched sounds to attract females and warn other males.
The gharial's body is elongated and streamlined, and its skin is covered with hard, rough, greenish-grey scales, which provide camouflage in rivers. Unlike other crocodiles, their legs are relatively short and not designed for terrestrial locomotion, which makes their mobility out of water limited. This extreme aquatic adaptation is also observed in their musculature, which is less robust for moving on land but highly effective for swimming. The gharial also has a more peaceful behavior compared to other crocodiles, being less likely to interact with humans or exhibit aggressive attitudes, probably due to its strictly piscivorous diet.
This species is of great ecological importance, as it acts as a controller of fish populations in its natural habitat. However, the gharial is critically endangered due to habitat loss, pollution, and hunting. With a length that can reach up to 6 meters, the gharial is one of the largest crocodile species in the world, although its population has decreased dramatically in recent decades, which has motivated conservation efforts for its preservation and recovery in its natural habitat.
For other scales, please do not hesitate to contact us at info@dinosauriacreatures.com
Approximate measurements of the Gharial:
The gharial's body is elongated and streamlined, and its skin is covered with hard, rough, greenish-grey scales, which provide camouflage in rivers. Unlike other crocodiles, their legs are relatively short and not designed for terrestrial locomotion, which makes their mobility out of water limited. This extreme aquatic adaptation is also observed in their musculature, which is less robust for moving on land but highly effective for swimming. The gharial also has a more peaceful behavior compared to other crocodiles, being less likely to interact with humans or exhibit aggressive attitudes, probably due to its strictly piscivorous diet.
This species is of great ecological importance, as it acts as a controller of fish populations in its natural habitat. However, the gharial is critically endangered due to habitat loss, pollution, and hunting. With a length that can reach up to 6 meters, the gharial is one of the largest crocodile species in the world, although its population has decreased dramatically in recent decades, which has motivated conservation efforts for its preservation and recovery in its natural habitat.
For other scales, please do not hesitate to contact us at info@dinosauriacreatures.com
Approximate measurements of the Gharial:
- 1:35 Scale Complete
- Length 131 mm
- Height 28 mm
- Width 71 mm
- Snout-tail length 171 mm
