The Silent Giant: Meet the Gharial of the Ganges.

1. The Ganges gharial is a species of large reptiles from the order Crocodilia. Millions of years ago, several species existed, but today the Ganges gharial is the only surviving representative of the ancient gharial lineage.

2. The gharial is one of the largest modern crocodiles: males can reach lengths of 5 to 5.5 meters. On average, male gharials measure between 4 to 4.5 meters, while females typically reach 3 to 3.5 meters. The gharial weighs between 150 to 250 kg, which is, by the way, not very much.

3. The gharial is renowned for its unusual snout: they have very, very narrow jaws. Their length is about five times greater than the width of the base. The presence of around a hundred small teeth distinguishes gharials from other crocodiles: other members of the order have significantly fewer teeth, and their size is larger.

4. These animals inhabit the Indo-Gangetic plain and the northern part of the Indian subcontinent. Therefore, if you were planning a vacation to India, be prepared for unexpected encounters. Gharials prefer calm sections of murky, deep waters with fast currents — these include the Indus, Brahmaputra, Ganges rivers, and others. Gharials spend almost all their time in the water.

5. Gharial hatchlings feed on insects and small vertebrates, but as they mature, their prey becomes more substantial. Adult gharials primarily hunt fish, and less frequently, small mammals. They pose no danger to humans. Gharials are not only unlikely to attack but are also not likely to scare you: they cannot move quickly. Most of the time, these animals crawl slowly on land.

6. The gharial is listed in the Red Book with the status of "endangered." People living in proximity to these animals view gharials as competitors (both feed on fish); at the same time, the meat, eggs, and skins of crocodiles have always been highly valued by humans. In the 1970s, the species was close to extinction, but today many populations are recovering.