Gavial
Gavial (also spelled gharial), common name for a carnivorous reptile in the crocodile order, noted for its extremely long and narrow snout that sets it apart from other crocodilians. At the end of the snout of mature males is a fleshy lump in which the nostrils are set. Gavials were formerly found in parts of river systems in Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Myanmar (formerly known as Burma), but today their range is much reduced because of exploitation by humans. Gavials eat fish and are considered too timid to be dangerous to humans. They are generally a pale olive to tan color with dark blotches on the body and tail. The Indian gavial has been known to reach a length of about 6 m (about 21 ft). The Malayan gavial, also known as the false gavial, belongs to a different subfamily and is much smaller, reaching only about 4 m (about 13 ft). Scientific classification: The gavial belongs to the subfamily Gavialinae, family Crocodylidae, order Crocodilia. The Indian gavial is class...