gavial
Ganges River reptile
A gavial is a large crocodilian native to South Asia, distinguished by its long, narrow snout adapted for catching fish.
The snout broadens at the tip into a bulbous growth in males.
Gavials are among the longest of all living crocodilians but are critically endangered.
Also spelled gharial.
Beast's protruding face
- elongatedStretched beyond usual dimensions
- narrowOf small width
- jawsMouth's bony framework
- teethEnamel-covered chewing structures
nostrils · scales · fish-eating · sensory · feeding · prehensile · olfaction · probing
Order of large reptiles
- herpetologyStudy of reptiles, amphibians
- reptileCold-blooded scaled vertebrate
- cold-bloodedUnfeeling or externally heated
- ectothermOrganism heated externally
archosaur · saurian · phylogeny · vertebrate · oviparous
India's holiest river
- riverineOf or by streams
- freshwaterNon-saline aquatic environment
- riparianRelating to riverbanks
- floodplainFlood-prone riverside lowland
delta · tributary · Indus · Brahmaputra · sandbanks · basking · India · Nepal
Consuming aquatic vertebrates
- ambushSurprise strike from concealment
- underwaterBelow the surface
- swimmingLocomotion through water
- predationHunting and consuming prey
basking · nesting · clutch · hatchlings · thermoregulation · aquatic · submerged · lunging
At risk of extinction
- sanctuaryProtected sacred space
- protectedKept from harm
- recoveryRegaining what was lost
- reintroductionAct of bringing back
snout
Beast's protruding face
teeth · nostrils · scales · fish-eating · sensory · feeding · prehensile · olfaction · probing · respiration
crocodilian
Order of large reptiles
- herpetologyStudy of reptiles, amphibians
- reptileCold-blooded scaled vertebrate
- cold-bloodedUnfeeling or externally heated
ectotherm · archosaur · saurian · phylogeny · vertebrate · oviparous
Ganges
India's holiest river
- riverineOf or by streams
- freshwaterNon-saline aquatic environment
- riparianRelating to riverbanks
floodplain · delta · tributary · Indus · Brahmaputra · sandbanks · basking · India · Nepal · confluence
fish-eating
Consuming aquatic vertebrates
- ambushSurprise strike from concealment
- underwaterBelow the surface
- swimmingLocomotion through water
predation · basking · nesting · clutch · hatchlings · thermoregulation · aquatic · submerged · lunging
endangered
At risk of extinction
gavialcrocodile
Large semiaquatic tropical reptile
saltwater crocodile · Nile crocodile · alligator · American alligator · caiman