Crocodile false gharial. Gangetic gharial: photos, interesting facts, nutrition. Gangetic gharial and man
Systematics
Russian name -gharial crocodile, false gharial, Malay fish crocodile, Malayan gharial, pseudo gharial, etc.
Latin name - Tomistoma schlegelii
English name - False gharial, Malayan gharial, Sunda gharial
Class - Reptiles or Reptiles (Reptilia)
Squad - Crocodiles (Crocodilia)
Family - Gavial (Gavialidae)
Genus - Tomistoma
The generic name comes from the Greek tomos- sharp and stoma- mouth and points to characteristic structure the head of this reptile. The species name "schlegelii" was given to the crocodile gharial in honor of the Dutchman H. Schlegel, who first discovered this animal for science.
Previously, taxonomists placed the gharial crocodile in the crocodile family, but in 2007, using molecular genetic methods, it was found that this reptile is a close relative of the gharial.
The status of the species in nature
A very rare species included in the International Red Book in the status of "endangered" - IUCN (EN) and in Appendix I of the Convention on international trade wild species of animals and plants - CITES.
Since the 1990s, populations of the gharial crocodile have been assessed in the islands of Borneo, Sumatra and Peninsular Malaysia. First Scientific research were carried out in 1995-1997, new data on the ecology of this species were obtained. In 2001-2002, 2 areas in Sumatra were surveyed and an Indonesian working group was established for the first time. Additional research made it possible to identify another breeding site for gharials and organize the protection of the marshy forest.
In 2003, an international organization was established to raise funds for the study of the species in nature, as well as maintain a website and inform the world community. Fundraising events were held in North America and Europe. The study of the problem of conservation of crocodiles in this region continued. In 2009, a foundation was established in East Kalimantan to protect crocodiles and their habitats. international organization Fauna and Flora is developing a project to restore the ecosystems of wetland forests inhabited by gharial crocodiles.
However, despite the efforts made, there are currently no long-term programs for research and protection of crocodiles and their habitats. Virtually all initiatives are carried out with limited funds, often on a voluntary basis and within a limited time frame.
Unfortunately, the efficiency of work on breeding gharial crocodiles in captivity is also low.
There are about 2500 individuals of this species left in nature.
View and person
The scientific description was given to the gharial crocodile by the famous German naturalist S. Müller in 1838.
This animal, despite its considerable size, was traditionally considered not dangerous to humans because of its narrow muzzle. However, if a false gharial can deal with such a large animal as a wild boar or a deer, then a person is too tough for him. The first confirmed attack on a human occurred in late 2008 on the island of Borneo, where a 4-meter female attacked and ate a fisherman. In 2012, it became known about two more fatal attacks these reptiles on people. Most likely, this is due to the violation by people of the habitats of gharials and the low number of habitual prey of these animals.
Gharial crocodiles suffer greatly from degradation environment, as people in crocodile habitats are reclamation, turning swamps into farmland. Huge Negative influence causes water pollution. The skin of the gharial crocodile is not valued as highly as the skin of other crocodiles, so they are rarely hunted specifically, but many animals die in fishing nets.
The main reason for the decline in numbers is a change in the habitats of crocodiles. Over the past 75 years, the number of gharial crocodile has decreased by approximately 30%. , and the trouble is that the known populations of the gharial are small, fragmented and occupy territories where intensive destruction occurs natural environment. Therefore, the main condition for the conservation of natural populations of this animal is exclusion from economic activity their habitats.
Distribution and habitats
The gharial crocodile's historical range covered most of Indonesia, Malaysia, and possibly Thailand.
Currently, the gharial crocodile is found in the eastern part of Sumatra, in the western part of Java, in Kalimantan and the Malay Peninsula. Since 1970, it has been considered extinct in Thailand, and may have disappeared in Vietnam. The distribution area is located in the equatorial region from 5 ° north latitude to 5 ° south latitude. Populations of the Malayan gharial are small everywhere, located in a mosaic pattern within the range.
Reptiles live in freshwater swamps, rivers, lakes, prefer calm water and places densely overgrown with aquatic vegetation.
Appearance
Outwardly, the gharial crocodile is similar to the gharial - the same narrow elongated muzzle, the length of which exceeds the width at the base by 3-4.5 times. However, there are many anatomical and biological differences between the Indian gharial and the gharial crocodile, so for a long time they were assigned to different families.
The body coloration is dark chocolate brown, with dark (sometimes black) stripes and randomly shaped spots on the body and tail. Like all crocodilians, males are larger than females and can reach five meters in length. Usually, the length of this reptile does not exceed 3.6-3.9 meters and weighs up to 250 kg. The maximum length of the measured female is 3.27 m with a weight of 93 kg.
The tooth "armament" of the crocodile gharial consists of 76-83 narrow sharp teeth, similar to fangs and almost the same in size.
Feeding and feeding behavior
Despite the vast range, the biology of the gharial crocodile is not well understood. Initially, it was believed that its diet was similar to that of its related gharial and consisted of fish and small vertebrates. This idea was based on the similarity of the narrow muzzle of the gharial crocodile with that of the gharial. Such a muzzle makes it possible to make a lightning-fast jerk with the head to the side, deftly grab a fish swimming past and hold it with sharp thin teeth. But it turned out that fish is not the most important component in the diet, the false gharial has wide range nutrition.
The food for these reptiles is a variety of aquatic and land animals: fish, shrimps, pythons, monkeys, wild pigs, otters, various birds, monitor lizards and even turtles. Juveniles are content with small prey - aquatic and land insects, larvae, mollusks, worms, small fish, etc.
Like other crocodiles, the gharial hunts mainly at night, stealthily sneaking up on its prey.
Lifestyle and social behavior
Active mainly at night. Its behavior is practically not studied.
Reproduction and parenting behavior
The reproductive cycle is not well understood. In total, less than 20 nests of this animal have been documented in nature. Most of the nests found in Sumatra and Kalimantan were located in the roots of huge trees in old wetland forests. In Sarawak (Malaysia), the nest was located in a ruined forest on the edge of a cultivated field.
Females build nests from plant remains (leaves, grass, peat) about 60 cm high. Egg-laying occurs in the dry season, eggs in the nest are from 13 to 41 (according to other sources - up to 60). The eggs of this reptile are the largest among crocodiles, about 100 mm in diameter. Apparently, the females of the Malayan gharial do not take care of their offspring - after laying eggs, they leave the nest and forget about their parental responsibilities. Many nests perish, devastated by predators, wild pigs, rodents and even reptiles.
The plant remains of which the nest is built slowly rot and due to this, the temperature in the nest is maintained at 28-33°C. At the beginning of the wet season, after 70-80 days of incubation, small (about 10 cm long) crocodiles hatch from the eggs. From the first day after birth, they are forced to take care of their well-being on their own. They have to get their own food, and also avoid meeting with enemies. Small gharials can be attacked by mongooses, wild dogs and cats, martens, and larger ones by tigers and leopards.
Sexual maturity in females of this species occurs with a total body length of 2.5-3 m at the age of about 20 years.
Lifespan
These reptiles can live up to 50 years in captivity, less in nature.
Gharial crocodiles have been kept in the Moscow Zoo more than once. However, due to their rarity and inaccessibility, it was not possible to form a full-fledged pair and achieve reproduction in captivity. Currently, an adult female gharial crocodile can always be seen at the main exposition of the Terrarium pavilion in the New Territory. In 2017, the Moscow Zoo received another young crocodile, which was confiscated while being illegally imported into the country. Gharial crocodiles are fed with fish, rodents, shrimps - 2-3 times a week. The amount of food and the frequency of feeding depends on the age and size of the animal. Young crocodiles are fed more often and more varied.
Gharial crocodile (Pseudogavial, False gharial; Tomistoma schlegelii) - preptile of the order of crocodiles. The generic name Tomistoma comes from the Greek. tomos - sharp, and stoma - mouth, mouth; the species schlegelii is given in honor of the discoverer of the species, the Dutch zoologist Hermann Schlegel (1804-1884).
It occurs in Indonesia (on the islands of Sumatra, Kalimantan, Java, probably on Sulawesi), in Malaysia (Malacca Peninsula, Borneo), Vietnam (possibly extinct). In Thailand, it has been considered extinct since 1970. Pseudo-gharial populations are low in number, located mosaically within the range.
The pseudogharial got its name due to its similarity with the gharial - it also has a narrow muzzle, the length of which at the base exceeds the width by 3-4.5 times. The color is dark, chocolate brown, with black stripes on the body and tail; hardly changes with age. The maximum length is 5 m, although larger specimens are also known. The elongated muzzle is a consequence of food specialization: the main food of the pseudogharial is fish. It lives in fresh lakes, rivers with slow flow and in swampy areas. Spends most of the time among the thickets or on drifting islands of vegetation. Studies of the pseudogharial stomach have shown the presence of fish, insects, crustaceans and mammals (up to macaques) in the diet.
Females become sexually mature at a length of 2.5-3 m. For laying eggs, they build nests from dry leaves or peat, up to 60 cm high. The clutch usually contains 20-60 eggs 10 cm in diameter. Incubation lasts 90 days. There is no evidence that the female guards the nest; most of clutches are ruined by predators - wild pigs and reptiles.
Population status and protection
Rare view. Pseudogavials suffer from the degradation of habitual habitats, on the site of which a person arranges agricultural land, from irrigation programs. Many animals die in fishing nets. In Europe and the USA, there are programs for raising this species in captivity, but no effective measures are being taken to restore the population of this species, although work is underway in this direction in Malaysia and Indonesia. Listed in:
- Appendix I of the CITES Convention
- IUCN Red List under the Endangered species category.
The population is estimated at about 2500 individuals.
This species is on the verge of extinction and is listed in the International Red Book.
Gharial is a special kind of crocodile, a direct descendant of ancient reptiles.
Gangetic gharial has significant differences from all other crocodiles. First of all, it is his appearance. Preserved from ancestors long narrow muzzle, whose jaws are studded with sparse and needle-sharp teeth.
The gharial spends most of its time in the water and feeds on fish, and its habits are more reminiscent of the behavior predatory fish. In relation to other living beings, he is less aggressive.
Gharial is unusual. As the study of scientists confirms, in the form it looks like now, it has existed for several million years, and only in those places where the conditions for its existence have practically not changed all this time: warm humid climate and fresh water. The habitats of the Gangetic gharial are south Asia, the basin of the Ganges River and its tributaries, in India and Nepal. This crocodile received the name Gangetic precisely thanks to the name of the famous river India. A few decades ago, the habitat of the Ghanaian gharial was much wider, but beyond last years their number has been greatly reduced and now there are no more than 2000 of them.
Only a few species of animals have survived on earth from ancient times, and even those numerous floods, glacial period and other cataclysms were significantly modified. Prehistoric animals that existed millions of years ago, in the course of evolutionary transformations, adapting to new conditions, changed their appearance. However common features appearance and structure of the body to a certain extent preserved. One of these surviving, in a slightly modified form, is the Gangetic gharial. It is believed that gharials, like separate view has existed on earth for over 50 million years. So, in terms of longevity, gharials are almost the same age as dinosaurs and direct descendants of ancient crocodiles. According to the existing classification of the animal world, gharials belong to the class of reptiles, the order crocodiles and a separate family of gharials, representatives of the genus and species of which they are in the singular.
Outwardly, the gharial looks like an ordinary crocodile. However, if the crocodile can be considered a land animal adapted to life on land, then the gharial is more likely an aquatic animal adapted to existence on earth. Therefore, the gharial is dominated by water signs. He has the same large elongated body as a crocodile. short legs covered with ossified plates. On the back, the plates are larger, similar to a shell. On the sides and on the stomach, the plates are pressed against each other like fish scales, which protects the gharial from damage on sharp stones both in water and on land, especially since they cannot lift their body on the ground and move only by crawling. This is his special defense, which appeared with a predominant habitat in the water. On the tail, the plates turned into triangular outgrowths. In many gharials, spending almost all the time in the water, the skin is covered with epibiotic crustaceans, which do not seem to interfere with them at all. The body color of gharials is not the same. The back is darker sometimes brown-green, the belly is yellowish-green. There are gharials of light green color, sometimes brown different shades, rarely black and almost white.
The head of the gharial is almost flat with long narrow jaws; the older the gharial, the longer and narrower its muzzle. At the end of the muzzle, males have a soft growth through which they blow bubbles in the mating season to attract females and emit a loud buzz when exhaling. The eyes are small and rounded, located above the muzzle and looking in different directions, almost like a fish. The teeth are rather thin, rarely growing, with a slight slope and very sharp, specially adapted for catching fish, which is the main food for this reptile.
In size, the gavial is a real giant, second only to saltwater crocodile. Its length is 7 meters or more, females are slightly smaller. They live in relatively calm places, mainly deep rivers with clean water. On land they move with difficulty, but in the water they are very mobile and agile, swim well and skillfully hunt fish, which is the main type of their food, but it is possible that they can attack other animals. Small gharials are content with mollusks and insects.
Gharials breed at the age of about 10 years. The female is capable of laying eggs at a length of about three meters. Approximately in November - January, the male gavial gathers around him a whole harem, which he jealously guards from the encroachment of strangers. From March to May, the female digs a hole on the shore and lays 20-60 eggs in it, which she periodically visits, more often at night. After 60 - 80 days, babies hatch from the eggs. Their length is about 40 centimeters, and the muzzle is about 5 centimeters. If necessary, females guard their nest, and when the babies hatch, it helps them to move into the water. After that, for several months, the female takes care of her cubs, although only a few pieces usually remain from the brood.
Gharials are very sensitive to pure fresh water. The severe pollution of rivers in India, as a result of uncontrolled dumping of waste and harmful substances, has become one of the factors in the decrease in the population of these now rare animals.
Gavial is one of the most rare species crocodiles. In the 1970s The gharial was in danger of extinction. The area suitable for its habitation has significantly decreased, the number of fish has decreased. Gharials often died in fishing nets. Eastern healers massively collected and collect the eggs of gharials and killing them in order to extract growths on the nose for the preparation of medicines.
In addition to India, more recently, gharials could be seen in Bangladesh, Nepal and Pakistan, in the valleys of the Ganges, Indus and Brahmaputra rivers and on the Manas River, a tributary of the Brahmaputra, on the border with Bhutan. But now the gharials that lived in Pakistan and Bangladesh are almost completely destroyed, no more than 50 pieces remain. in the zoo and out of the territory national park. In Nepal, there are somewhere around 65-70 of them. To preserve the population, zoos in other countries are ready to take on several individuals, but the Indian authorities forbid the export of Ghanaian gharials outside the country, and if this is done, then mainly by smuggling.
In India in 1975-1977, and in Nepal in 1978, gharial conservation programs were organized. For this, several special farms for growing gharials were created. Work was organized to collect and incubate gharial eggs, followed by the rearing of the cubs in conditions national parks, where young gharials were released. In this regard, there are optimistic forecasts, it seems like it has given certain results, but real success has not yet been published. Well, be that as it may, if they are engaged, then there is still some hope for the preservation of the gharial as a species.
Gharial is a unique animal among modern crocodiles. Although several species of them existed millions of years ago, today the Gangetic gharial is the last of the remaining representatives of this ancient genus, and the second species of the gharial family (the other is the gharial crocodile). Gharials eat fish and live in deep waters with fast current. Of all crocodiles, they spend the most time in the water, only coming out to land to bask or lay their eggs.
Appearance
The color of the back of the gharial is usually dark, brown-green, the belly is yellow-green. There are also gharials with black coloration, light green, brown or light brown, as well as the color of algae. There are almost white gharials.
In terms of power, the gharial is inferior to almost all real crocodiles, since it does not need it. But other animals attack adult gharials very rarely due to their size.
The gharial has a long and powerful tail, on which there are triangular lamellar outgrowths.
The eyes of gharials are small and round, they are located above the level of the muzzle. They look almost in opposite directions.
Gharials always move on the ground by crawling, because they cannot lift the body.
Due to the aquatic lifestyle and hunting of the gharial, he has a special protection - the plates on his belly are pressed against each other. This protects him from injury while rubbing against sharp rocks in the water.
Some gharials spend so much time in the water that epibiotic crustaceans from the acorn suborder develop on their skin [ ] .
Dimensions
The gharial is one of the largest modern crocodiles, slightly behind the saltwater crocodiles (crocodylus porosus).
Males can reach 5-5.5 meters in length, although usually no larger than 4-4.5 m. Females reach an average of 3-3.5 meters, less often larger. Measured adults weighing 159 and 181 kg, the Gangetic gharial has a lighter build compared to most real crocodiles and alligators. The largest known Gangetic gharial was over 6 meters long. Previously, gharials averaged somewhat larger, but due to extensive poaching during that time, such individuals are extremely rare today, since gharials require long time to reach this size.
Jaws
The shape of the jaws of gharials is easy to distinguish from alligators and real crocodiles. They are very narrow. Their length exceeds the width of their base by almost 5 times. In children, this difference is less.
This shape of the jaws is explained by hunting for fish. The jaws meet little water resistance, thanks to which the gharials easily catch prey with them.
The gharial has more teeth than all other crocodiles - up to a hundred. But they are much smaller than other crocodiles. They are long, thin and sharp; located somewhat obliquely - tops forward and sideways. It is difficult for fish to escape from such jaws. This distinguishes the gharial from most other crocodilians, which require large, powerful jaws to hunt large or well-protected prey.
habitats
Gharials prefer to settle in calm areas of muddy deep rivers with a fast current and the presence of whirlpools and reaches. Such areas are, for example, knee rivers. The range of the gharial historically covers the Indo-Gangetic Plain and the northern part of the Hindustan Peninsula: it is found in Bangladesh (close to extinction), Bhutan (possibly disappeared), Nepal (population is recovering), Myanmar (possibly disappeared), Pakistan (close to extinction ), India (the population is recovering). It lives in the basins of the Brahmaputra (Bhutan, India), Indus and its tributaries (Pakistan), Ganges (India and Nepal), Mahanadi and Krishna, Meghna (India, Bangladesh), small populations are known on the Kaladan and Irrawaddy rivers in Myanmar.
Lifestyle
Gharials are the most aquatic of all crocodiles, spending the most time in the water. They come out on land only to bask or lay eggs.
Most of the diet of the Gangetic gharial is fish. Small gharials prey on invertebrates, such as insects. Their jaws are unable to kill and swallow prey anymore. As gharials grow, so does the size of their prey. The largest individuals can kill small mammals. Do not disdain carrion. They are not dangerous for people.
reproduction
Females reach sexual maturity at a length of 3 m, at the age of about 10 years. The male has a harem of several females and guards it from other males. mating season lasts from November to January. With the help of a growth, the male blows bubbles under water while courting females.
Eggs are laid from March to May during the dry season when sandy shores are exposed. The female digs a hole in the sand about 3-5 m from the water, lays her eggs (usually at night) and covers them with plant material. Each egg weighs up to 160 grams - more than other crocodiles; eggs only 35-60. The female returns to the nest every night. After 60-80 days of incubation, the cubs hatch. With a length of about 40 cm, they have a muzzle of about 5 cm, and a tail about half the length of the individual.
Unlike other species of crocodiles, the mother does not carry them into the water, because her jaws are not adapted for this. However, she continues to take care of the offspring for several weeks. Despite this care, it is impossible to keep track of the cubs, and out of all the cubs, only 1-2 reach puberty. The rest become prey to predators. There are too many of them, and young gharials are too defenseless. Adults have no natural enemies.
population status
Gharial is considered one of the rarest crocodiles, is listed in the Red Book of IUCN under the category "endangered" ( endangered). In the 1970s, the view was close to complete disappearance due to the reduction of habitats, the reduction of fish stocks and predatory extermination. Gharials also often die when entangled in fishing nets. Their eggs are still harvested for medicinal purposes, the males are hunted for the growths on their noses, which are considered aphrodisiacs.
Gangetic gharial and man
The fate of the gharials is inextricably linked with the fate of the people, and both depend on the rivers. People who live side by side with gharials are farmers, pastoralists, fishermen and laborers. Most of the inhabitants of the coast recognized that they did not pose a threat to people. Gharials eat fish, but prefer to live in the favorite places of anglers. Because they eat fish, gharials are often blamed for declining fish populations, or viewed as food competitors, and therefore killed.
But in Nepal and India, the gharial is a sacred animal. One of the problems of preserving gharials is to revive the respect and reverence of the people for this ancient animal. In order to meet the needs of the local population living near the gharials, gharial conservation actions must be mutually beneficial to people and nature.
Past efforts to conserve the population did not meet the needs of people, and when areas were declared protected, locals lost the rights to Natural resources which they have used for generations. This has caused resentment towards the gharials and conservation activities. This experience shows that the goal of animal conservation will not be achieved until the needs of the local people are met.
The Gharial Conservation Alliance is looking for solutions to this problem in order to improve the quality of life for people and achieve conservation goals. This may include alternative programs to provide for people currently living off poaching. Ultimately, the preservation of the rivers will determine the fate of both humans and gharials. The fate of the rivers depends on the cooperation of the people living on the banks of these rivers in environmental protection.
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