Gharials: Family Gavialidae

The family Gavialidae consists of two living species in the order Crocodilia found in two separate genera, the gharial and false garial. Both are native to the SE Asian region of India and the Malay peninsula.    They are one of of the largest carnivores on the planet.  They are however, unlike their crocodilian cousins, not man eaters.  They have a thin snout used for catching fish.  They do not prey on large mammals because they lack the jaw strength to hold onto and capture their prey.

Extant members

• Tomistoma schlegelii (False Gharial)
• Gavialis gangeticus (Gharial)