Gharial (Gavialis gangeticus) is a timid animal and its body resembles that of an alligator, with greenish scaly skin, long pointed tail and short stubby legs. Its snout is extremely large and flattened and has upper and lower jaws that are studded with sharp-edge, close-set teeth.
Diet changes between juvenile and adult. The juveniles feed on a variety of invertebrate prey such as insects, plus smaller vertebrates such as frogs. Adults are mainly fish-eaters. Some of the larger gharials are more opportunistic and take larger prey, including mammals. Nesting occurs in the dry season where nests are dug into sand banks.
It is also known as Indian gharial or Long-nosed crocodile. Ken Gharial Sanctuary and Son Gharial Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh and Gharial Sanctuary in Orissa are dedicated to Gharials.
