Gharial crocodile (Pseudogavial, False gavial; Tomistoma schlegelii) - Gangetic gharial village: photos, interesting facts, nutrition Distribution and habitats

Gharial is a special type of crocodile, a direct descendant of ancient reptiles.

The Gangetic gharial has significant differences from all other crocodiles. First of all, it's his appearance. A long narrow muzzle preserved from its ancestors, the jaws of which are studded with sparse and needle-sharp teeth.

The gharial spends most of its time in the water and feeds on fish, and its habits are more reminiscent of predatory fish. In relation to other living beings, he is less aggressive.

Gharial is unusual. As scientific research confirms, in the form it looks now, it has existed for several million years, and only in those places where the conditions of its existence have remained virtually unchanged all this time: warm humid climate and fresh water. The habitats of the Gangetic gharial are south Asia, basin of the Ganges River and its tributaries, in India and Nepal. This crocodile received the name Gangetic due to the name itself. famous river India. Just a few decades ago, the habitat of the Ghanaian gharial was much wider, but recent years their numbers have greatly decreased and now there are no more than 2000 of them.

Only a few species of animals have survived from ancient times on earth, and even those numerous floods, ice age and other cataclysms significantly modified. Prehistoric animals that existed millions of years ago, during evolutionary transformations, adapting to new conditions, changed their appearance. However common features the appearance and structure of the body have been preserved to a certain extent. One of these preserved, in a slightly modified form, is Gangetic gharial. It is believed that gharials, as a separate species, have existed on earth for more than 50 million years. So, in terms of longevity, gharials are almost the same age as dinosaurs and direct descendants of ancient crocodiles. By existing classification fauna gharials belong to the class of reptiles, the order crocodiles and a separate family gharials, representatives of the genus and species of which they are in the singular.

Externally, the gharial looks like an ordinary crocodile. However, if the crocodile can be considered a land animal adapted to life on land, then the gharial is more likely an aquatic animal adapted to existence on land. Therefore, the gharial has predominantly aquatic characteristics. He has the same large, elongated body on short legs, like a crocodile, covered with ossified plates. On the back the plates are larger, similar to a shell. On the sides and on the belly, the plates are pressed together like fish scales, which protects the gharial from damage from sharp stones both in water and on land, especially since on the ground they cannot lift their body and move only by crawling. This is its special protection, which appeared with its predominant habitat in water. On the tail, the plates turned into triangular growths. Many gharials, spending almost all their time in water, have their skin covered with epibiotic crustaceans, which do not seem to bother them at all. The body color of gharials is not the same. The back is darker, sometimes brownish-green, the belly is yellowish-green. There are gharials that are light green in color, sometimes brown in different shades, rarely black and almost white.

The head of the gharial is almost flat with long narrow jaws; the older the gharial, the longer and narrower its muzzle. At the end of the muzzle, males have a soft growth through which they blow bubbles during the mating season to attract females and emit a loud hum when exhaling. The eyes are small and round, located above the muzzle and looking into the different sides, almost like a fish. The teeth are quite thin, sparsely growing, slightly inclined and very sharp, specially adapted for catching fish, which is the main food for this reptile.

In size, the gharial is a true giant, second only to saltwater crocodile. Its length can be 7 meters or more, females are slightly smaller. They live in relatively calm places, mostly deep rivers with clean water. They move on land with difficulty, but in water they are very mobile and dexterous, swim well and skillfully hunt fish, which is their main type of food, but it is possible that they can attack other animals. Small gharials feed on shellfish and insects.

Gharials breed at the age of about 10 years. The female is capable of laying eggs with a length of about three meters. Around November - January, the male gharial gathers a whole harem around him, which he jealously guards from the encroachment of strangers. From March to May, the female digs a hole on the shore and lays 20 - 60 eggs in it, which she periodically visits, often at night. After 60 - 80 days, the eggs hatch. Their length is about 40 centimeters, and their muzzle is about 5 centimeters. If necessary, females guard their nest, and when the babies hatch, she helps them move into the water. After which, the female takes care of her cubs for several months, although usually only a few remain from the brood.

Gharials are very sensitive to clean fresh water. Severe pollution of rivers in India, as a result of uncontrolled discharge of waste and harmful substances, has become one of the factors in the decline in the population of these now rare animals.

The gharial is one of the rarest species of crocodiles. In the 1970s The gharial was under threat of complete extinction. The area suitable for its habitation has significantly decreased, and the number of fish has decreased. Gharials often died in fishing nets. Eastern healers massively collected and collect gharial eggs and kill them in order to extract growths on the nose to prepare medicines.

In addition to India, gharials could recently be seen in Bangladesh, Nepal and Pakistan, in the valleys of the Ganges, Indus and Brahmaputra rivers and on the Manas River, a tributary of the Brahmaputra, on the border with Bhutan. But now the gharials that lived in Pakistan and Bangladesh have been almost completely destroyed, with no more than 50 remaining. in the zoo and outside the territory national park. In Nepal there are about 65-70 of them. To preserve the population, zoos in other countries are ready to take in several individuals, but the Indian authorities prohibit the export of Ghanaian gharials outside the country, and if this is done, it is mainly through smuggling.

In India in 1975-1977, and in Nepal in 1978, gharial conservation programs were organized. For this purpose, several special farms have been created for raising gharials. Work was organized to collect and incubate gharial eggs, followed by raising the cubs in national parks, where young gharials were released. In this regard, there are optimistic forecasts, it seems that this has yielded certain results, but no real successes have yet been published. Well, be that as it may, if they are doing it, then there is still some hope for the preservation of the gharial as a species.

Gangetic gharial - one of the largest crocodiles in the world. He is the owner of a narrow, dotted sharp teeth graze. This species of crocodile lives in the rivers of India, feeding almost exclusively on fish.
DIMENSIONS
Length: males - up to 6.6 m, females - up to 4 m.
Weight up to 1,000 kg.
REPRODUCTION
Puberty: from 10 years.
Mating season: end of winter - spring.
Number of eggs: 20-90 (average 40).
Incubation: 70-100 days.
LIFESTYLE
Habits: Stay alone and in small groups.
Food: Mainly fish, but also waterfowl, crabs and small mammals.
Related species. The Gangetic gharial is the only representative of its family. Externally, the gharial resembles the crocodile gharial (Tomistoma schlegelii), which belongs to the group of true crocodiles.

Despite the breeding of the Gangetic gharial in captivity, the future of this species is rather uncertain. The animals were hunted for their shiny skin, and with the development of industry in India, many natural habitats of crocodiles disappeared. Several reserves have been created to preserve the Gangetic gharial from extinction.
FOOD . Most crocodiles are very undemanding when it comes to food. They eat almost anything that appears in the water or on land within the reach of their mouths. The gharial, however, specializes only in certain foods - it feeds almost exclusively on fish.
The English gharial hunts from cover and grabs unwary fish with its mouth lined with sharp teeth. Having caught the victim, the Gangetic gharial raises its mouth with prey above the water. If this big fish, he hits her several times on the surface of the water to tear her apart. The cold-blooded gharial does not require much energy, so it can only eat once a week. Large individuals also hunt waterfowl and small mammals. They often pose a danger to people. Human remains have been found in the stomachs of some Gangetic gharials.
Gavial swallows the fish head first so that its gills do not get stuck in the throat.
Gavial AND MAN. People during many years Thousands of Gangetic gharial were killed and bags were made from their skins. Another blow dealt to the population of these crocodiles was the construction of river dams. Electricity and water pumping stations appeared on rivers in India. Irrigation plays an important role in arid India, but the Gangetic gharial has fallen prey to it.
In 1975, there were fewer than 70 gharials living in the wild. The Indian government decided to raise them in captivity. People collected animal eggs and carried them to special stations. The cubs that appear here are reliably protected from enemies and are constantly monitored. After reaching a length of 120 cm, young gharials can lead an independent life, so they are released into the wild.
REPRODUCTION. At the end of winter and early spring, male Gangetic gharems collect harems consisting of 3-4 females. At this time, male gharials hiss and growl, trying to scare their rivals. After successful matchmaking, the gharial mates with all the females in the harem. Mating of reptiles occurs in water - the couple gradually sinks to the bottom of the river in a tight embrace. The Gangetic gharial belongs to a number of crocodiles, and therefore lays eggs. The fertilized female climbs ashore and digs a hole at a distance of 10 m from the water, into which she lays about 40 eggs covered with a thin shell. The female chooses a place for the nest with diligence, looking for the most favorable microclimate for the development of eggs. Having laid a clutch, the female stays close, she resolutely protects the eggs from predators such as monitor lizards and jackals. The higher the temperature, the faster the eggs develop. After 70-100 days, small gharials appear. The mother, hearing their loud squeak, comes to the rescue, raking a layer of soil over the babies and pushing them with their muzzle in the direction of the water. Sometimes the female takes the cubs in her teeth and carries them to the river, holding them very tenderly in her mouth.
Gangetic gharials are born, breaking through eggshells a special tooth at the tip of the nose.
LIFESTYLE. The most favorite activity Gangetic gharial - to warm up in the sun. Comfortably sitting on a sandy island, the crocodile takes a sunbath, but rarely moves away from the water.
Gavial prefers transparent rivers With fast current. The gaviala, completely submerged in the water and with only its nostrils exposed to the surface, is smoothly carried away by the current. Water temperature fluctuates less than air temperature. Crocodile gharial is a cold-blooded animal, so its body temperature depends on temperature environment. Crocodiles spend cold nights in the water. They hide under steep banks where warm air is trapped. During sleep, the gharial's metabolism slows down and the body's oxygen consumption decreases. The gharial's mouth is lined with hundreds of very sharp teeth. This is his fishing gear.
Did you know that crocodiles swallow pebbles, which in their stomachs act as millstones that grind large pieces. Hand and anklet bracelets of Indian girls are found in the stomachs of Gangetic gharials. Gharials often pick up these decorations on the shore along with stones.
The Gangetic gharial also hunts catfish, which, in turn, feed on tilapia, the main catch of local fishermen. The decline in the number of gharials has led to an increase in the number of catfish, which have almost destroyed the tilapia. Thus, fish-eating gharials began to be perceived by fishermen as competitors, although in reality they were their allies. This also contributed to the destruction of the gharial.
PECULIARITIES.
Leather: tough, hard, like a shell, is a valuable raw material for the manufacture of various items. Hunting of gharial is prohibited.
Limbs: swims due to the presence of swimming membranes between the fingers. Female gharials dig a hole with their paws.
Muzzle: The gharial, compared to other crocodiles, has a narrow muzzle, studded with more than a hundred teeth. The gharial does not have lips that would prevent water from entering the mouth. Prominent nostrils allow the animal to breathe while underwater.
Tip of the nose: In males, there is a nodular growth at the tip of the nose, the function of which has not been studied. Perhaps this is a resonator that enhances the sounds of the male in mating season.
Transportation method: The gharial cannot run with its body and tail raised above the ground, as other crocodiles do. He crawls slowly along the ground.
How the gharial hunts. The gharial's mouth is perfectly adapted to making quick lunges underwater. The narrow mouth does not meet the resistance of the water, so the animal can quickly turn its side and grab a fish swimming nearby with its very sharp teeth.
PLACES OF RESIDENCE. There are two populations of the Gangetic gharial: a few individuals live in the Indus River in eastern Pakistan and a large group inhabits the Mahanadi, Ganges, Brahmaputra and Irrawaddy rivers.
Saving. Thanks to captive breeding and conservation, the species' numbers are gradually increasing. Despite this, the Gangetic gharial is among the species that continue to be subject to conservation measures.

Interesting facts about Gangetic gharials

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The gharial is a unique animal among modern crocodiles. Although several species existed millions of years ago, today the Gangetic gharial is the last remaining member of this species. ancient family, and a second species of the gharial family (the other is the gharial crocodile). Gharials feed on fish and live in deep bodies of water with fast currents. Of all crocodiles, they spend the most time in the water, coming onto land only to bask or lay eggs.

Appearance

The color of the gharial's back is usually dark, brown-green, and its belly is yellow-green. There are also gharials with black color, light green, brown or light brown, as well as the color of algae. There are gharials that are almost white.

The gharial is inferior in power to almost all real crocodiles, since it does not need it. But other animals attack adult gharials very rarely due to their size.

The gharial has a long and powerful tail, on which there are triangular plate-like growths.

The eyes of gharials are small and round, they are located above the level of the muzzle. They look almost in opposite directions.

Gharials always move on the ground by crawling, since they cannot lift their bodies.

Because of water image During the life and hunting of the gharial, he now has special protection - the plates on his belly are pressed against each other. This protects it from injury due to friction against sharp stones in the water.

Some gharials spend so much time in the water that epibiotic crustaceans from the suborder acorns develop on their skin [ ] .

Dimensions

The gharial is one of the largest living crocodiles, slightly behind the saltwater crocodile (crocodylus porosus).

Males can reach 5-5.5 meters in length, although usually no larger than 4-4.5 m. Females on average reach 3-3.5 meters, rarely larger. Measured adults weighed 159 and 181 kg, the Gangetic gharial has a lighter build than most real crocodiles and alligators. The largest known Gangetic gharial was over 6 meters long. Previously, gharials were somewhat larger on average, but due to extensive poaching during that time, such individuals are extremely rare today, since gharials require long time to achieve this size.

Jaws

By the shape of their jaws, gharials can be easily distinguished from alligators and true crocodiles. They are very narrow. Their length exceeds the width of their base by almost 5 times. In cubs this difference is less.

This shape of the jaws is explained by hunting fish. The jaws encounter little resistance from the water, thanks to which gharials easily catch prey with them.

The gharial has more teeth than all other crocodiles - up to a hundred. But they are much smaller than those of other crocodiles. They are long, thin and sharp; located somewhat obliquely - with their peaks forward and sideways. It is difficult for fish to escape from such jaws. This distinguishes the gharial from most other crocodiles, which require large, powerful jaws to hunt large or well-protected prey.

Habitats

Gharials prefer to settle in calm, muddy areas deep rivers with a fast current and the presence of whirlpools and reaches. Such areas are, for example, river knees. The gharial's range historically covers the Indo-Gangetic Plain and the northern part of the Hindustan Peninsula: it is found in Bangladesh (near extinct), Bhutan (possibly extinct), Nepal (population recovering), Myanmar (possibly extinct), Pakistan (close to extinction ), India (the population is recovering). It lives in the basins of the Brahmaputra (Bhutan, India), Indus and its tributaries (Pakistan), Ganges (India and Nepal), Mahanadi and Krishna, Meghna (India, Bangladesh), small populations are known on the Kaladan and Irrawaddy rivers in Myanmar.

Lifestyle

Gharials are the most aquatic of all crocodiles, spending the most time in the water. They only come out onto land to warm themselves or lay eggs.

The majority of the Gangetic gharial's diet consists of fish. Small gharials hunt invertebrate animals, such as insects. Their jaws are unable to kill and swallow any more prey. As gharials grow, so does the size of their prey. The largest individuals can kill small mammals. They do not disdain carrion. Not dangerous for people.

Reproduction

Females reach sexual maturity at 3 m in length, at about 10 years of age. The male has a harem of several females and protects it from other males. The mating season lasts from November to January. With the help of a growth, the male blows bubbles under water while courting females.

Eggs are laid from March to May during the dry season when sandy shores are exposed. The female digs a hole in the sand about 3-5 m from the water, lays her eggs (usually at night) and covers them with plant material. Each egg weighs up to 160 grams - more than other crocodiles; There are only 35-60 eggs. The female returns to the nest every night. After 60-80 days of incubation, the cubs hatch. With a length of about 40 cm, they have a snout of about 5 cm, and a tail about half the length of the individual.

Unlike other species of crocodiles, the mother does not carry them into the water, since her jaws are not adapted for this. However, she continues to care for the offspring for several weeks. Despite this care, it is impossible to keep track of the cubs, and of all the cubs, only 1-2 reach sexual maturity. The rest become victims of predators. There are too many of them, and young gharials are too defenseless. Adults have no natural enemies.

Population status

The gharial is considered one of the rarest crocodiles, listed in the IUCN Red Book under the category “endangered” ( Endangered). In the 1970s, the species was close to extinction due to loss of habitat, declining fish stocks and predation. Gharials also often die when they become entangled in fishing nets. Their eggs are still collected for medicinal purposes, and males are hunted for their nasal growths, which are considered aphrodisiacs.

Gangetic gharial and man

The fate of the gharials is inextricably linked with the fate of the people, and both depend on the rivers. The people who live side by side with gharials are farmers, herders, fishermen and laborers. Most coastal inhabitants admitted that they do not pose a threat to people. Gharials eat fish, but prefer to live in favorite places fishermen. Because gharials eat fish, they are often blamed for declining fish populations, or seen as food competitors, and are therefore killed.

But in Nepal and India, the gharial is a sacred animal. One of the challenges of gharial conservation is to restore the people's respect and reverence for this ancient animal. To meet the needs of local populations living near gharials, gharial conservation actions must be mutually beneficial to people and nature.

Past conservation efforts have not met people's needs, and when areas were declared protected, local residents lost rights to natural resources, which they used for several generations. This has caused resentment towards gharials and conservation efforts. This experience shows that the goal of animal conservation will not be achieved until the needs of local people are met.

The Gharial Conservation Alliance is seeking solutions to this problem to improve people's quality of life and achieve conservation goals. This could include alternative support programs for people currently living off poaching. Ultimately, the conservation of rivers will determine the fate of both humans and gharials. The fate of rivers depends on the cooperation of people living on the banks of these rivers in environmental activities.

The Gangetic gharial (Gavialis gangeticus) is a representative of the oldest species of crocodiles. It appeared on Earth more than sixty million years ago. And only one of the twelve fossilized species found on the territory of many continents has survived to the present day. They consider the gharial and worship him.

Gangetic gharial: photo and description

Getting to know him should begin with a description of some of his characteristic features. The length of its muzzle is more than 3 times its width. It lengthens with age. And in adult males, a bump appears at the end of the snout, reminiscent of an Indian pot, which is called ghara, hence gharial - the Indian name of this species.

The Gangetic gharial is armed with thin and sharp teeth. On the jaws of adult individuals there can be counted 110 of them; their structure is slightly inclined to the side. This is necessary for a more tenacious capture of fish.

The cylindrical body can reach five meters in length. But now especially large reptiles are very rare. Males are significantly larger than females and can weigh up to 200 kg.

Gangetic gharial - excellent swimmer. In water it can reach speeds of up to 30 km/h (thanks to special membranes on its hind legs). On land it moves in a slightly different way. The animal crawls on its belly, which is not allowed to be raised by underdeveloped limbs.

The color of these reptiles is dominated by green. The upper body is darker than the belly and has transverse stripes. With age, the color changes to darker.

Nutrition

What does the Gangetic gharial eat? The diet of these reptiles is varied. But the main diet is fish, since they spend most of their lives in water. Having caught a slippery fish with its sharp and tenacious teeth, the Gangetic gharial will not release the prey.

Large crocodiles attack mammals, eat snakes and birds, as well as drowned people, who, according to Indian traditions, are often buried not in the ground, but in the sacred waters of rivers. A variety of jewelry that is placed on the deceased, as well as small stones that fall into the stomach of the Gangetic gharial, contribute to better grinding and absorption of food. Juveniles can feed on crayfish and frogs.

Gangetic gharial: interesting facts

• Males create harems. They carefully protect their females and the territory in which the harem is located from encroachment and interference by outsiders. Most often it doesn’t come to contractions. The rivals hiss at each other and show aggression with a belligerent appearance.
• Gangetic gharials are capable of breeding in captivity.
• IN wildlife There may be individuals with an almost white body color, which does not in any way affect their hunting abilities.
• Males use a peculiar growth on their face to attract females during mating games. It also allows them to stay under water longer.
• After mating, the female Gangetic gharial digs a hole on the sandy shore to lay eggs. There may be several such pits, reaching 50 cm in depth, until she chooses one that suits her.

Mating season, mating

At the end of winter - beginning of spring, the mating season begins for the Gangetic gharial. Mating occurs in water, with all females of the harem. A fertilized female lays an average of up to 40 eggs (sometimes their number can be 70-90). She carefully protects them from destruction by jackals and monitor lizards. The male also takes an active part in protection. But with the onset of the harem, the harem disintegrates, and the predators lead their usual solitary lifestyle.

Offspring

When enough high temperature eggs mature quickly. After 3-4 months, the offspring appears, breaking through the eggshell with a tooth at the very tip of the nose. The mother helps the babies get out of the sand, but cannot bring them to the water due to the fact that her mouth is simply not adapted to this. Small crocodiles are under the protection of adults for up to 2 months, until they become stronger in the aquatic environment.

Hunting and recreation

The Gangetic gharial loves to bask in the sun, sitting comfortably on the sandy shore. But in order to avoid becoming a victim of other predators, it does not move away from the water.

When hunting for fish, the Gangetic gharial can wait for its prey in a completely motionless position, or it can swim slowly along the river, catching barely noticeable oscillatory movements. In both cases, the hunt ends with a sharp movement of the head to the side - and the victim can no longer escape.

Where does it live and how long does it live?

The Ghanaian gharial can be found in the Indus River in eastern Pakistan, as well as in the Mahanadi, Irrawaddy and Brahmaputra.

Can live 45-50 years. However, rarely does anyone manage to live to that age. Representatives of this species have a very high mortality rate.

Assistants

Despite their impressive size and terrifying mouth with razor teeth, these reptiles can be considered the most good-natured. They never attack people. The reason for this unusual behavior Their predator lies, most likely, in their clumsiness and timid disposition.

Gangetic gharials can in some way be considered orderlies, as they clean the river waters of the rotting remains of corpses. In addition, the object of hunting of gharials are catfish, which feed on valuable commercial fish- tilapia. Due to the sharp decrease in the number of predatory reptiles, its population has also decreased.

Threat of extinction of large crocodiles

Hard Gangetic gharial is highly valued and is used to make various jewelry, bags, wallets, and shoes. The eggs of these crocodiles are used to make omelettes and are used in medicine. They also hunt for growths at the end of the males’ snout, which are considered aphrodisiacs. The number of these rare reptiles is in danger of complete extinction. Therefore, they are listed in the International Red Book, and hunting them is prohibited.

A set of measures aimed primarily at cleaning up the chemicals and waste discharges from rivers, where they still occur rare individuals Gangetic gharial. In addition, they are kept in captivity, their eggs and young are protected, which is also aimed at preserving this species.

Thanks to government conservation measures, the number of the Gangetic gharial, “the kindest crocodile” on the planet, has increased tenfold.

Taxonomy

Russian name - Gharial crocodile, false gharial, Malayan fish crocodile, Malayan gharial, pseudogharial, etc.

Latin name– Tomistoma schlegelii

English name - False gharial, Malayan gharial, Sunda gharial

Class - Reptiles or Reptiles (Reptilia)

Squad – Crocodiles (Crocodilia)

Family – Gavialidae

Genus - Tomistoma

The generic name comes from the Greek tomos - spicy and stoma– mouth and points to characteristic structure the heads of this reptile. The specific name “schlegelii” was given to the crocodile gharial in honor of the Dutchman H. Schlegel, who first discovered this animal for science.

Previously, taxonomists placed the gharial crocodile in the crocodile family, but in 2007, using molecular genetic methods, it was established that this reptile is a close relative of the gharial.

Status of the species in nature

Very rare species, included in the International Red Book with the status of “endangered” - IUCN (EN) and in Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Wild Species of Animals and Plants - CITES.

Since the 1990s, gharial crocodile populations have been assessed in Borneo, Sumatra and Peninsular Malaysia. First scientific research were carried out in 1995-1997, new data on the ecology of this species were obtained. In 2001-2002, 2 areas in Sumatra were surveyed and the Indonesian Working Group was established for the first time. Additional research made it possible to identify another breeding site for gharials and organize the protection of the swampy forest.

In 2003, an international organization was created whose task was to raise funds to study the species in the wild, as well as maintain a website and inform the world community. Fundraising events were held in North America and Europe. The study of the problem of conservation of crocodiles in this region continued. In 2009, a foundation was founded in East Kalimantan to protect crocodiles and their habitats. International organization Fauna and Flora is developing a project to restore the ecosystems of swampy forests where gharial crocodiles live.

However, despite these efforts, there are currently no long-term research and conservation programs for crocodiles and their habitats. Virtually all initiatives are carried out with limited funds, often on a voluntary basis and within a limited time frame.

Unfortunately, the efficiency of work on breeding gharial crocodiles in captivity is also low.

There are about 2,500 individuals of this species left in nature.

Species and man

The scientific description of the gharial crocodile was given by the famous German naturalist S. Müller in 1838.

This animal, despite its considerable size, was traditionally considered not dangerous to humans due to its narrow muzzle. However, if the false gharial can deal with such a large animal as a wild boar or deer, then it can handle a human too. The first confirmed attack on a person occurred in late 2008 on the island of Borneo, where a 4-meter female attacked and ate a fisherman. In 2012, it became known about two more deadly attacks these reptiles on people. Most likely, this is due to human disturbance of gharial habitats and the low numbers of the usual prey of these animals.

Gharial crocodiles suffer greatly from environmental degradation as people carry out land reclamation in the crocodile's habitats, turning swamps into agricultural land. Huge negative influence causes water pollution. The skin of the gharial crocodile is not valued as highly as the skin of other crocodiles, so they are rarely hunted specifically, but many animals die in fishing nets.

The main reason for the decline in numbers is a change in the habitats of crocodiles. Over the past 75 years, gharial crocodile numbers have declined by approximately 30%. , and the trouble is that known gharial populations are small, fragmented and occupy areas where intensive destruction is taking place natural environment. Therefore, the main condition for preserving natural populations of this animal is exclusion from economic activity their habitats.

Distribution and habitats

The gharial crocodile's historical range covered much of Indonesia, Malaysia and possibly Thailand.

Currently gharial crocodile found in eastern Sumatra, western Java, Kalimantan and the Malay Peninsula. Since 1970, it has been considered extinct in Thailand, and may have disappeared in Vietnam. The distribution area is in the equator region from 5° north latitude to 5° south latitude. Populations of the Malayan gharial are small everywhere and are located mosaically within the range.

Reptiles live in freshwater swamps, rivers, lakes, preferring calm water and places densely covered with aquatic vegetation.

Appearance

Externally, the gharial crocodile is similar to the gharial - the same narrow elongated muzzle, the length of which exceeds the width at the base by 3-4.5 times. However, there are many anatomical and biological differences between the Indian gharial and the gharial crocodile, therefore for a long time they were classified into different families.

The body color is dark chocolate brown; there are dark (sometimes black) stripes and randomly shaped spots on the body and tail. As with all crocodiles, males are larger than females and can reach five meters in length. Typically, the length of this reptile does not exceed 3.6-3.9 meters and weighs up to 250 kg. Maximum length measured female - 3.27 m with a weight of 93 kg.

The dental “weapons” of the crocodile gharial consist of 76-83 narrow sharp teeth, similar to fangs and almost identical in size.

Nutrition and feeding behavior

Despite its extensive range, the biology of the gharial crocodile has not been sufficiently studied. It was initially thought that its diet was similar to that of its related gharial and consisted of fish and small vertebrates. This idea was based on the similarity of the narrow muzzle of the gharial crocodile with that of the gharial. Such a muzzle makes it possible to make a lightning-fast jerk of the head to the side, deftly grab a fish swimming by and hold it with sharp thin teeth. But it turned out that fish is not the most important component in the diet; the false gharial has a wide range of nutrition.

The food for these reptiles is a variety of aquatic and land animals: fish, shrimp, pythons, monkeys, wild pigs, otters, various birds, monitor lizards and even turtles. The juveniles are content with small prey - aquatic and land insects, larvae, mollusks, worms, small fish, etc.

Like other crocodiles, the gharial hunts mainly at night, quietly creeping up on its prey.

Lifestyle and social behavior

Active mainly at night. Its behavior has practically not been studied.

Reproduction and parental behavior

The reproductive cycle has not been sufficiently studied. In total, less than 20 nests of this animal have been documented in nature. Most of the nests found in Sumatra and Kalimantan were located in the roots of huge trees in old wetland forests. In Sarawak, Malaysia, the nest was located in a destroyed forest at the edge of a cultivated field.

Females build nests from plant debris (leaves, grass, peat) about 60 cm high. Oviposition occurs in the dry season, eggs in a nest from 13 to 41 (according to other sources - up to 60). The eggs of this reptile are the largest among crocodiles, about 100 mm in diameter. Apparently, female Malayan gharials do not take care of their offspring - after laying eggs, they leave the nest and forget about their parental responsibilities. Many nests die, destroyed by predators, wild pigs, rodents and even reptiles.

The plant remains that make up the nest slowly rot and due to this, the temperature in the nest is maintained at 28-33°C. At the beginning wet season after 70-80 days of incubation, small (about 10 cm in length) crocodiles hatch from the eggs. From the first day after birth, they are forced to take care of their well-being on their own. They have to get their own food and also avoid encounters with enemies. Small gharials can be attacked by mongooses, wild dogs and cats, martens, and larger ones by tigers and leopards.

Sexual maturity in females of this species occurs with a total body length of 2.5-3 m at the age of about 20 years.

Lifespan

These reptiles can live up to 50 years in captivity, less in the wild.

Gharial crocodiles have been kept at the Moscow Zoo several times. However, due to their rarity and inaccessibility, it was never possible to form a full-fledged pair and achieve reproduction in captivity. Currently, an adult female gharial crocodile can always be seen at the main exhibition of the Terrarium pavilion on the New Territory. In 2017, the Moscow Zoo received another young crocodile, confiscated during illegal import into the country. Gharial crocodiles are fed fish, rodents, and shrimp 2-3 times a week. The amount of food and frequency of feeding depend on the age and size of the animal. Young crocodiles are fed more often and more varied.