Gharial  (Gavialis gangeticus)

The gharial is one of the largest crocodilians (a group that also includes crocodiles, alligators and caimans) with the narrowest snout of any species (3). The common name comes from the bulbous nasal appendage of the adult male, which resembles an Indian pot called a 'ghara' (2). Unlike other crocodilians, gharials have relatively weak legs and adults do not raise their body above ground when on land (6).

Highly fragmented populations are found within the river systems of the Brahmaputra, Indus, Ganges and Mahanadi in Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Pakistan (2).

Probably the most aquatic of the crocodilians, gharials are found in the calmer areas of fast-flowing rivers (6).

Adults are primarily fish-eaters; their narrow snout is well suited to being swept sideways through water and is armed with a large number of small, sharp teeth (4). Juveniles eat a variety of invertebrate prey such as insects (2).

Females reach sexual maturity usually over 10 years old, and males defend harems of receptive females (2). The function of the male's bulbous ghara is poorly understood but may be a visual sex indicator, sound resonator or bubbling device during courtship (6). Nesting occurs during the dry season, females drag themselves onto dry land to excavate holes into which around 40 large eggs are laid (2). Some protection of young does occur, although gharials have not been observed carrying hatchlings in their jaws (6).

The gharial came remarkably close to extinction in the 1970s, but a long-term captive breeding and re-introduction program improved their status in the wild to some degree. Despite these efforts, the population recently declined by 58 percent, from 436 breeding adults in 1997 to 182 breeding adults in 2006 (1). Habitat loss poses the biggest threat to survival as the human population explosion of the Indian subcontinent continues to encroach on the river systems where they are found (2). Dams, irrigation projects, sand mining and artificial embankments have all encroached on the gharials' habitat, reducing its range to just two percent of what it was (1). In addition, fishing removes important food sources and can cause clashes with fishermen leading to accidental or deliberate death. Eggs are collected for medicinal properties and adult males are hunted due to the belief that their snout has aphrodisiac effects (2).

Gharial population levels reached a catastrophic low in the 1970s prompting a massive rescue campaign (3). Restocking programmes involving captive breeding and ranching (wild eggs are reared in captivity and then re-released) were established in India in 1975 and Nepal in 1978, and these worked to gradually bring this species back from the very brink of extinction (2). However, in recent years the population suffered another devastating decline, and in 2006 only 182 breeding adults remained (1). Increased conservation efforts are clearly needed to save this remarkable reptile from the impacts of humans.

For more information on the Species Action Plan see the Crocodile Specialist Group:
http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/natsci/herpetology/act-plan/plan1998a.htm#Contents

For more information about crocodilians see Crocodilian.com:
http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/cnhc/cnhc.html

Authenticated (6/5/03) by Adam Britton, Crocodilian.com.
http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/cnhc/cnhc.html