The gharial (Gavialis gangeticus), also known as gavial or fish-eating crocodile, is a crocodilian in the family Gavialidae and among the longest of all living crocodilians. Mature females are 2.6 to 4.5 m (8 ft 6 in to 14 ft 9 in) long, and males 3 to 6 m (9 ft 10 in to 19 ft 8 in).

Gharials are one of the largest members of the crocodilian family. They look very similar to crocodiles and alligators , but they have a distinctive long, narrow snout, which reduces water resistance and helps them to hunt for fish.

The Gharial (pronunciation: /ˈɡɛːrɪəl//ˈɡarɪɑːl//ˌɡʌrɪˈɑːl/), also called the gavial or the fish-eating crocodile, is a species of crocodilian found mostly in India. Known for their exceptionally long snouts with a lump-like structure at the tip, they were previously found in almost all the major river systems of the Indian subcontinent.

The gharials characteristic long narrow snouts have very little resistance to water allowing swiping motions to snap up fish in their mouths. The gharials numerous needle-like teeth are perfect for holding on to struggling, slippery fish.

Gharials, sometimes called gavials, are a type of Asian crocodilian distinguished by their long, thin snouts. Crocodilians are a group of reptiles that includes crocodiles, alligators, caimans,...

May 27, 2024 · The gharial is a large-sized reptile that is one of the longest of all extant crocodilians at 11.8-21 feet and lives in slow-moving rivers’ murky waters on the Indian subcontinent.

Gharials are one of the biggest crocodilians, but they have the narrowest snout of the crocodilian species. The gharial’s distinctive narrow snout is a fine adaptation for the purpose of catching prey underwater, as it enables it to whip its head through the water sideways to snatch prey.

May 28, 2024 · Male gharials develop a hollow bulbous nasal protuberance at the end of their long snout once they reach sexual maturity. This bulbous growth, known as a ghara (after the clay pot it resembles) gives the species its common name, "gharial."

Nov 9, 2024 · Although they look like crocodiles or alligators, gharials split off from other crocodilian species over 40 million years ago. Unlike crocs and gators, gharials don't ambush their prey. Instead,...

The gharial (Gavialis gangeticus), sometimes called the Indian gharial, common gharial or gavial, is one of two surviving members of the family Gavialidae. They are a group of crocodile -like reptiles with long, narrow jaws. The gharial is the second-longest of all living crocodilians: a large male can be nearly six meters in length.