Silena helped me identify this crocodile relative as a gharial. These fish eaters live in the fast moving rivers of India, and rarely leave the water. They are nearly extinct, with an estimated 200 specimens left in the wild. Thanks a lot people. I know they're ugly and all, and that those snouts probably make for a fine trophy, but enough already. Ah, but my ranting is useless. I doubt many Indian hunters read this blog.
As these reptiles age, their snouts grow longer and thinner. The males also grow a bulbous tip on their nose, which is used to make a vibrating noise and to blow bubbles in an attempt to attract a mate. That's a nice technique. I'll try it on my wife and see what she thinks.
Photo courtesy: Joanie
Nov 9, 2006
Nice Technique
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4 comments:
It looks like an alligator that had it's head shrunk.
Must you be so cruel, Kelly?
Are there really only 200 left in the wild? I saw six or seven of them at Chitwan national park (in Nepal, but very close to the Indian border). It's a little weird to think that I have seen 3% of an entire species.
I believe there is a 'real' gharial and a 'lesser' or 'false' gharial. I'm not sure what you saw. Plus, my information is only as good as my source, which I have linked to in my post.
But I am jealous of your travels.
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