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 view, 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. 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 human occurred in late 2008 on the island of Borneo, where a 4-meter female attacked and ate a fisherman. In 2012, two more fatal attacks by these reptiles on people became known. Most likely, this is due to human disturbance of gharial habitats and the low numbers of the usual prey of these animals.
Gharial crocodiles are suffering greatly from degradation environment, because people in the habitats of crocodiles carry out land reclamation, 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 of the natural environment is taking place. Therefore, the main condition for maintaining natural populations this animal is an exception to economic activity their habitats.
Distribution and habitats
The gharial crocodile's historical range covered much of Indonesia, Malaysia, and possibly Thailand.
Currently, the gharial crocodile is 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 “armament” of the crocodile gharial consists 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, consisting 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 wide range 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 perish, devastated 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 of the 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.
Inhabits India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Pakistan. The range is mainly limited to the river system of the Indus, Ganges and Brahmaputra river basins. In the south of the region, the distribution reaches the Mahanadi basin in the state of Orissa in India. There are also known finds of this species in the river. Manas (a tributary of the Brahmaputra on the border of India and Bhutan), which are currently not confirmed. There is a report that needs clarification about the presence of a gharial in the river. Kaladan (western Burma). In the XIX - early XX centuries. There were gavians in southern Bhutan and western Burma, but in our time they have practically disappeared. They have also been almost completely destroyed in Pakistan and Bangladesh, where a total of apparently no more than 50 individuals remain. The population in Nepal numbers only 65-70 individuals.
Favorite habitats are deep, fast-flowing rivers with clean water and high banks, does not avoid deep floodplain lakes with sandy shores, convenient for basking and nesting. Homing is pronounced in adult gavians. Individual areas of males stretch along river banks for 12-20 km, for females - for 10-12 km.
It feeds mainly on fish, but on occasion it eats birds, mammals, and sometimes corpses, including people who, according to ancient traditions, are buried in the waters of the sacred river. Ganges.
Nesting season is March - April. The female digs a nest in the sandy banks of rivers. 16-60 eggs (maximum 90) are laid in a prepared nest. The eggs are elliptical, measuring 65-70 X 85-90 mm. The clutch size depends on the size of the female and seasonal conditions. The incubation period usually lasts 83–94 days, but periods ranging from 76–105 days are also known. Females protect the nesting site, help the young hatch from the eggs, and guard the newborns in the water for several months.
Changes in natural habitats, predatory fishing and death in fishing nets have led the species to a critical condition. Most populations are oppressed. Best preserved wild populations famous in India. They are supported by the collection of eggs in nature, their artificial incubation and the release of young animals in places with preserved pristine biotopes. A government gharial conservation project was introduced in India in 1975. The first young gharials were released here in 1977. A similar project in Nepal began in 1978 in the Royal Chitavan National Park. Here at the confluence of the river. Rapti and R. Rue protects optimal habitats for the Gangetic gharial and the marsh crocodile. There are optimistic forecasts for the recovery of the species.
Includes the only modern gender Gavialis with the only kind— Gangetic gharial (G. gangeticus). The muzzle is long and narrow, its length exceeds the width at the base by 3-5.5 times. The lateral edges of the muzzle are parallel, rear end the skull is sharply expanded. The huge upper temporal pits exceed the size of the eye sockets. The nasal bones are separated from the premaxillary bones by the maxillary bones. The anterior end of the muzzle is widened, and in males there is a kind of appendage made of soft tissue on it, somewhat reminiscent of an Indian clay pot - ghara, hence the name of the genus (Gavial - spoiled “ghVerdana”). The teeth are long, thin and sharp; there are at least 27 of them in the upper and 24 in the lower jaw. The teeth are located somewhat obliquely - with their apices forward and sideways. The jugal bone is not flattened, as in other modern crocodiles, and the postorbital column is attached to it from above, and not medially. Reaches a length of 6.6 m. The color of the dorsal side is dark, brown-green, the belly is yellow-green.
Distributed on the Hindustan Peninsula and Burma in river systems Indus, Ganges, Mahanadi, Brahmaputra, Kolodana.
Although the gharial's main food is fish, which crocodiles grab with a sideways movement of their heads, it also feeds on birds and small mammals. Gharials devour corpses, including people, who, according to ancient custom, are buried in the waters sacred river Ganges. These crocodiles are not dangerous for living people, despite their large size.
Females bury more than 40 eggs in the sand on shallows.
The gharial is the most specialized of the crocodiles. Its characteristic feature is a very narrow and long muzzle, similar only to the snout of the pseudogharial (Tomistoma schlegelii). Its length exceeds its width by 3-5.5 times. The outline of the muzzle changes with age - in adult individuals it lengthens and becomes thinner. At the end of the muzzle, an adult male grows a peculiar appendage of soft tissue, reminiscent of an Indian clay pot, called “ghara”, hence the Indian name of the species - “ghVerdana”. It is a resonator, thanks to which the gharial emits a loud buzzing “bzzz” sound when exhaling.
Long jaws appeared in the gharial as a result of an adaptation to feeding on fish. His teeth are long, thin and sharp; located somewhat obliquely - with their peaks forward and sideways. Gharial is the second largest after saltwater crocodile(Crocodylus porosus): males reach a length of 6-6.5 m, females - up to 3 m. The color of the gharial’s back is dark, brown-green, the belly is yellow-green.
Distribution area of the gharialThe range of the gharial historically covers northern part Hindustan Peninsula: it is found in Bangladesh (near extinct), Bhutan (possibly extinct), Nepal, Myanmar (possibly extinct), Pakistan (possibly extinct), India. It lives in the basin of the Brahmaputra (Bhutan, India), Indus (Pakistan), Ganges (India and Nepal), Mahanadi (India) rivers, small populations are known on the Kaladan and Irrawaddy rivers in Myanmar.
The gharial spends most of its time in the water, preferring to stay in calm areas on deep, fast-flowing rivers. Unlike other crocodiles, it is poorly adapted to move on land - its leg muscles are not capable of lifting its body. The gharial can only crawl, sliding along the surface with its belly, but if necessary it is capable of developing moderate speed. In water, on the contrary, it is the fastest and most agile of crocodiles thanks to its well-developed tail and wide membranes on its hind legs. The gharial leaves the water only for sunbathing and during the breeding season.
Young gharials feed on invertebrates (insects, crustaceans) and frogs. Adults hunt mainly for fish, in which they are helped by thin jaws that meet little resistance from the water and give greater maneuverability. Sharp teeth are good at holding slippery fish, which gharials usually grab with a quick movement of their head from side to side. Only the largest individuals also feed on birds, crabs, snakes and small mammals that approach the water to drink.
Human remains are sometimes found in the stomachs of gharials and gems. This is explained by the fact that gharials swallow the remains of cremated bodies, which, according to ancient custom, are buried in the waters of the Ganges. In the same way, they also get jewelry, which gharials swallow for ballast and as gastroliths - stones for grinding food in the stomach. These crocodiles are not dangerous for living people, despite their large size.
Females reach sexual maturity at a length of 3 m, at an age of approx. 10 years. The male has a harem of several females, which he protects from other males. Mating season lasts from November to January. Egg laying occurs from March to May during the dry season when sandy shores are exposed. The female digs a hole 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, which the mother does not transfer to water, since her jaws are not adapted for this. However, she continues to care for the young for several weeks.
The gharial is considered one of the rarest crocodiles and is listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List. In the 1970s it was close to extinction due to the reduction of suitable habitats, 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 the males are hunted for their nasal growths, which are considered an aphrodisiac.
In India, programs have been developed to collect eggs and captive breeding of gharials on crocodile farms; in 1981, the first batch of animals was released into the wild. While there were only 70 individuals in 1975, their population in India is now estimated at 1,500. Unfortunately, out of 40 young gharials in the wild, only 1 reaches maturity.
Gharials can only live in deep rivers with clean fresh water. Such specialized environmental requirements mean that this species is doomed to extinction under current realities. Already today, the ancient crocodile is considered one of the almost extinct and most vulnerable large animals of the Indian subcontinent. Any person nature loving, the question cannot arise: is it really impossible to do anything?
Gharials were once found in the rivers of Pakistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal. They are now extinct everywhere except in a few small areas of India and Nepal. No more than 2,000 individuals live throughout India, and 200 of them are participating in the population restoration program, that is, they live in semi-wild conditions.
The program to restore the species was started in 1975, and initially consisted of collecting and incubating eggs, raising small crocodiles to one year of age and releasing them into wildlife. Over the entire existence of this good project, more than 5,000 reptile cubs have been released into nature. However further fate young animals are not very optimistic: their successful reproduction was noted only in three habitats: national parks Corbett, Chambal and Dudhwa.
It would be logical to expect from a program to restore the gharial population the same positive results, as from other similar projects. But as it turned out, this is not at all the case, and what a person does is the easiest part of the necessary efforts that must be made to preserve the species. Popularization of the project in the world press distracts attention from the real problem that led to the almost complete disappearance of the fish-eating crocodile, namely the loss of its habitat.
As you know, Indian rivers have a reputation for being among the most polluted in the world. Especially “famous” are the waters of the Ganga and Yamuna, revered by the saints, which turned into streams of toxic industrial waste and sewer discharges. And gharial, just like freshwater turtle and golden barbel, have no choice but to live practically in the sewer.
During the winter of 2007-2008, 113 juvenile and adult crocodiles died in relatively clean river Chambal, near its confluence with dirty waters Yamuna. They died from an as yet unknown nephrotoxin, a poison that gradually destroys the kidneys, and it is likely that such mass death animals will happen again.
Gharial crocodile (Pseudogavial, False gharial; Tomistoma schlegelii) - a reptile of the crocodile family. Generic name Tomistoma comes from the Greek. tomos- spicy, and stoma- mouth, mouth; specific schlegelii given in honor of the discoverer of the species, the Dutch zoologist Hermann Schlegel (1804-1884).
Found in Indonesia (on the islands of Sumatra, Kalimantan, Java, probably on Sulawesi), Malaysia (Malacca Peninsula, Borneo), Vietnam (possibly extinct). In Thailand, it has been considered extinct since 1970. Pseudo-gharial populations are low in number and are mosaic within their range.
The pseudogharial received its name due to its resemblance to the gharial - it is also distinguished by a narrow muzzle, the length of which at the base is 3-4.5 times greater than the width. The color is dark, chocolate brown, with black stripes on the body and tail; almost does not change with age. The maximum length is 5 m, although larger specimens are known. The elongated snout is a consequence of food specialization: the main food of the pseudogharial is fish. It lives in fresh lakes, rivers with slow flow and in wetlands. Spends most of its time among thickets or on drifting islands of vegetation. Studies of the pseudogharial's stomach have shown the presence of fish, insects, crustaceans and mammals (up to macaques) in its diet.
Females become sexually mature at a length of 2.5-3 m. To lay eggs, they build nests from dry leaves or peat, up to 60 cm high. A clutch usually contains 20-60 eggs with a diameter of 10 cm. Incubation lasts 90 days. There is no evidence that the female guards the nest; most of the clutch is ravaged by predators - wild pigs and reptiles.
Population status and conservation
Rare view. Pseudogavials suffer from the degradation of their usual habitats, in the place of which people create agricultural land, and from irrigation programs. Many animals die in fishing nets. In Europe and the USA, there are programs for growing this species in captivity, but effective measures to restore the population of this species are not being taken, although work in this direction is being carried out in Malaysia and Indonesia. Listed in:
- Annex I of the CITES Convention
- IUCN Red Book by category endangered species(Endangered).
The population is estimated at approximately 2,500 individuals.
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 old.
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. Gangetic gharial - sole representative your 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 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 for long 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 important role in arid India, but its prey was the Gangetic gharial.
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 by breaking through the eggshell with a special tooth on the tip of their nose.
LIFESTYLE. The most favorite hobby 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 the ambient temperature. Crocodiles spend cold nights in the water. They hide under steep banks, where they linger warm air. 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 manufacturing 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 during the mating season.
Way to travel: 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.
LIVING PLACE. 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.
Preservation. 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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Gharial crocodile (Pseudogavial, False gharial; Tomistoma schlegelii) - preptile from the order of crocodiles. The generic name Tomistoma comes from the Greek. tomos - sharp, and stoma - mouth, mouth; The species schlegelii is given in honor of the discoverer of the species, the Dutch zoologist Hermann Schlegel (1804-1884).
Found in Indonesia (on the islands of Sumatra, Kalimantan, Java, probably on Sulawesi), Malaysia (Malacca Peninsula, Borneo), Vietnam (possibly extinct). In Thailand, it has been considered extinct since 1970. Pseudo-gharial populations are low in number and are mosaic within their range.
The pseudogharial received its name due to its resemblance to the gharial - it is also distinguished by a narrow muzzle, the length of which at the base is 3-4.5 times greater than the width. The color is dark, chocolate brown, with black stripes on the body and tail; almost does not change with age. The maximum length is 5 m, although larger specimens are known. The elongated snout is a consequence of food specialization: the main food of the pseudogharial is fish. It lives in fresh lakes, slow-moving rivers and wetlands. Spends most of its time among thickets or on drifting islands of vegetation. Studies of the pseudogharial's stomach have shown the presence of fish, insects, crustaceans and mammals (up to macaques) in its diet.
Females become sexually mature at a length of 2.5-3 m. To lay eggs, they build nests from dry leaves or peat, up to 60 cm high. A clutch usually contains 20-60 eggs with a diameter of 10 cm. Incubation lasts 90 days. There is no evidence that the female guards the nest; Most of the clutches are destroyed by predators - wild pigs and reptiles.
Population status and conservation
Rare view. Pseudogavials suffer from the degradation of their usual habitats, in the place of which people create agricultural land, and from irrigation programs. Many animals die in fishing nets. In Europe and the USA, there are programs for growing this species in captivity, but effective measures to restore the population of this species are not being taken, although work in this direction is being carried out in Malaysia and Indonesia. Listed in:
- Annex I of the CITES Convention
- IUCN Red List of species under threat of extinction (Endangered).
The population is estimated at approximately 2,500 individuals.
This species is on the verge of extinction and is listed in the International Red Book.
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