Gavialidae facts for kids
Quick facts for kids GavialidaeTemporal range: Upper Permian - Eocene, 257 - 45 Mya
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| Indian gharial model, Gavialis gangeticus | |
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Gavialidae
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Gavialidae is a special group of reptiles that belong to the order Crocodilia. This order includes alligators, crocodiles, and caimans. For a long time, people thought there was only one living species in the Gavialidae family: the gharial (Gavialis gangeticus). This amazing reptile lives in India and Nepal.
Many other species of gavialids lived long ago, but they are now extinct. Another reptile, the false gharial (Tomistoma schlegelii), was usually thought to be part of the Crocodylidae family (the true crocodiles). This was because their skulls looked similar. However, some scientists thought the false gharial might be a gavialid because it looked and acted a lot like the gharial.
Today, thanks to modern scientific studies that look at DNA, we know that the gharial and the false gharial are actually very closely related. This means they both belong in the same family: Gavialidae!
What Makes Gavialids Special?
Gavialids are large reptiles that spend a lot of their time in the water. They look a bit like crocodiles, but they have a very unique feature: a much thinner and longer snout.
A Snout for Fishing
This long, thin snout is perfect for catching fish. Gavialids don't have super strong jaws like crocodiles and alligators. Crocodiles and alligators use their powerful jaws to catch big animals. But gavialids are specialized fish-eaters. Their slender snouts let them quickly snap up slippery fish in the water.
Where Do Gavialids Live?
The gharial, one of the two living gavialid species, is found in the rivers of northern India and Nepal. They prefer clear, fast-flowing rivers with deep pools. The false gharial lives in freshwater swamps and rivers in Southeast Asia, including places like Malaysia and Indonesia.
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