gharial

Definitions

A crocodilian of species Gavialis gangeticus, of the family Gavialidae.

Equivalents

Examples

“Placed in a family by itself, the Gavialidae, the gharial has long been separated from the rest⟳ of the crocodilian stock⟳, with the possible exception of Tomistoma (Densmore 1983).”

“We crossed the Rapti at Bijlipur, three miles from Balrampur, over a pontoon bridge, from where we would often see⟳ marsh crocodile and gharial lying on the sandbanks with their mouths open⟳, absorbing the solar heat.”

“1996, M. V. Subba Rao, Nesting Behaviour of the Indian Crocodiles, Gavialis gangeticus, Crocodylus plaustris and Crocodylus porosus (Reptilia: Crocodylidae), Geethabali R. Ramamurthi, Readings in Behaviour, page 213, Gharials, Gavialis gangeticus are the inhabitants of deep, fast flowing rivers.”

“The gharial breathes air into its lungs, like⟳ caimans, alligators, and crocodiles. It can hold⟳ its breath and stay⟳ underwater for a long time—more than half an hour. Gharials can also hunt underwater. They even eat⟳ their food there.”

“One of the goals of our river expedition was to locate⟳ gharial. Gharial help⟳ crocodilians lay⟳ claim⟳ to being the ugliest reptiles, and perhaps the most ancient.”

CEFR level