The Gavialis gangeticus, more commonly known as a gharial, is a crocodile-like reptile. The gharial is classified in domain Eukarya, kingdom Animalia, phylum Chordata, class Reptilia, order Crocodylia, family Gavialidae, and genus Gavialis. The gharial is closely related to crocodiles, alligators, and caimans. This beast lives in on the Northern Indian subcontinent in riverine habitats. Gharials are some of the most aggressive crocodilian and should not be reckoned with (Gharial, Gavialis gangeticus). The gharial is one of the largest crocodilians. It's average weight ranges from 359-400 pounds. Males are typically 13-15 feet long and females are 11.5-13 feet. Gharials have bilateral symmetry with four legs and their back feet are webbed. …show more content…
This is a lid on the nostril made of cartilage used during mating. The lid flaps when he gharial breathes out and makes a loud buzzing noise. It is a way of communication that warns other Gharials to stay out of its territory and to attract females. Mating season usually ranges from November and February. Gharials have internal fertilization. The female lays approximately 28-60 eggs in nests in the riverbank. She guards the nest for the 60-80 day incubation period. The sex of the baby is determined by the temperature of the egg during early incubation stages. When the egg hatches, the baby is about 6 inches long. Sexual maturity for females is attained at 8 years old while sexual maturity for males is attained at 15 years old. The mother protects her young for several weeks or until heavy rains help disperse the youth. The gharial will live about 29 years but some have believed that these monsters have lived as long as 100 years old (Bouchard). Gharials are fairly social reptiles and they like to bask in the sun together. Basking in the sun and cooling off in the water helps them maintain homeostasis because they are ectothermic. A social group of gharials typically contains one male and several females. Unlike most animal groups, the male is superior to the female. The most important factor to obtain dominance is size. During mating season, males will often become more territorial and aggressive. Females become territorial during nesting