Indian+Gavial

 Indian gavial

Indian gavial, also known as gavial, is the only surviving member of family Gavialidae, group of crocodilians. Gavial is a critically endangered specie living in Bangladesh, Pakistan and northern parts of India. In India there are three types of crocodilians. Mugger crocodile, Saltwater crocodile and gavial. The difference between gavials and crocodiles is the long slender snout of gavials.

 Only the Saltwater crocodiles exceed the size of the gavials. The largest gavials have been 23 feet long and achieved a weight of 2,200 lb. The 23 feet long giant was shot in 1924 and since then the average size of seen mature gavials has decreased to something between 12 and 15 ft. Larger individuals are unknown, possibly extinct. Due to their large size the adult gavials are unable to lift their bellies from the gound while moving at the riverbanks. Although movement of gavials on ground is pathetic they are extremely good swimmers. Best of all crocodilians in the world.

 Gavials eat mostly fish. Young ones eat insects, larvae and frogs. While crocodiles eat humans you must notice that gavials don't. They are not man-eaters. Gavials have thin and fragile jaws which are unable to consume a large animal. It is physically impossible even for the giantic ones.

 The amount of gavials has declined approximately 97% since 1946. In 1940's there were something between 5,000 and 10,00 gavials. Now there is less than 235. The poor creature was hunted for skins, trophies and eggs. Gavials also die while they are caught in fisher's gill nets and when dams and barrages are built the amount of riverine decreases and gavials have less space to live at.

Niilo and Aleksi