Habitat & Distribution
Gharial in natural habitat
Habitat
Gharial derived its name from ghara, an Indian word for pot because of a bulbous knob (narial excrescence) present at the end of their snout. The ghara also renders Gharial the only visibly sexually dimorphic crocodilian. The species are largely fish eating of all extant crocodilians. Possession of a strongly attenuated snout and rows of uniform sharp teeth supported by a relatively long, well muscled neck make it a most efficient fish catcher.
Gharial show a preference for deep fast flowing rivers, however adult Gharial have also been observed in still water branches (Jheel) of rivers surrounded by sand hills and in comparatively velocity-free aquatic environments of deep holes(kunds) at river bends and confluences. Smaller animals seem to conserve energy by resting out of the main stream in sheltered backwaters, particularly during the monsoon (July-September). Sand and rock outcrops are preferred basking sites and these animals show considerable site fidelity. Locomotion in Gharial has been described as the ‘lazy’ sliding gait on land.
Gharial show a preference for deep fast flowing rivers, however adult Gharial have also been observed in still water branches (Jheel) of rivers surrounded by sand hills and in comparatively velocity-free aquatic environments of deep holes(kunds) at river bends and confluences. Smaller animals seem to conserve energy by resting out of the main stream in sheltered backwaters, particularly during the monsoon (July-September). Sand and rock outcrops are preferred basking sites and these animals show considerable site fidelity. Locomotion in Gharial has been described as the ‘lazy’ sliding gait on land.
Historical and current range of gharials
Distribution
Historic distribution of Gharial in the Indian sub-continent :India, Nepal, Pakistan, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar
Current distribution of Gharial in the Indian sub-continent: India, Nepal and Bangladesh (Possibely extinct)
Historically Gharial were found in the River system of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and southern part of Bhutan and Nepal. Today they survive only in the waters of India & Nepal. The surviving population are within the tributaries of the Ganges River system: Girwa (Uttar Pradesh), Son (Madhya Pradesh), Ramganga (Uttarakhand), Gandak (Bihar), Chambal (Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh & Rajasthan) and Mahanadi (Orissa).
Current distribution of Gharial in the Indian sub-continent: India, Nepal and Bangladesh (Possibely extinct)
Historically Gharial were found in the River system of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and southern part of Bhutan and Nepal. Today they survive only in the waters of India & Nepal. The surviving population are within the tributaries of the Ganges River system: Girwa (Uttar Pradesh), Son (Madhya Pradesh), Ramganga (Uttarakhand), Gandak (Bihar), Chambal (Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh & Rajasthan) and Mahanadi (Orissa).