Gharial

About

How gharial lives

Gharials are fish-eating crocodilians with extremely narrow snouts adapted for catching river prey. Adult male gharials develop a bulbous growth on the snout used in sound and display. River species are shaped by changing water levels, flowing currents, and narrow migration paths.

Conservation

Status and habitat pressure

Critically threatened species often survive in fragmented populations, making every breeding group important. Protecting gharial also depends on keeping rivers, wetland habitats healthy and connected.

Critically threatened species often have little room for delay because every remaining population matters.

Quick Facts

Things to notice

• Adult male gharials develop a bulbous growth on the snout used in sound and display.
• Many reptiles conserve energy well and can remain still for long periods before a quick burst of movement.
• River species are shaped by changing water levels, flowing currents, and narrow migration paths.
• Critically threatened species often survive in fragmented populations, making every breeding group important.