Gharial vs. Crocodile — What's the Difference?

A large, critically endangered reptile with a long, narrow snout, primarily found in Indian rivers.

A large, predatory reptile with a broad snout, found in various water bodies worldwide.

Lays eggs in nests dug into sandy riverbanks.

Has a varied diet, including fish, mammals, and birds.

Known for its unique ghara (pot-like structure) on the male's snout.

Exhibits strong parental care, with females guarding nests and young.

Prefers flowing river habitats where it can use its specialized snout to catch fish.

Conservation status varies by species, with some under significant threat.

Faces threats from habitat destruction and fishing.

Can live in both freshwater and saltwater environments.

The gharial (Gavialis gangeticus), also known as the gavial or the fish-eating crocodile, is a crocodilian in the family Gavialidae and among the longest of all living crocodilians. Mature females are 2.6–4.5 m (8 ft 6 in–14 ft 9 in) long, and males 3–6 m (9 ft 10 in–19 ft 8 in).

Crocodiles (family Crocodylidae) or true crocodiles are large semiaquatic reptiles that live throughout the tropics in Africa, Asia, the Americas and Australia. The term crocodile is sometimes used even more loosely to include all extant members of the order Crocodilia, which includes the alligators and caimans (family Alligatoridae), the gharial and false gharial (family Gavialidae), and all other living and fossil Crocodylomorpha.

A crocodilian reptile (Gavialis gangeticus) of South Asian rivers, having a long slender snout that in mature males has a bulbous growth at the tip. Also called gavial.

Any of various large aquatic reptiles of the family Crocodylidae that are native to tropical and subtropical regions and have thick, armorlike skin and long tapering jaws.

A gavial.

A crocodilian reptile, such as an alligator, caiman, or gharial.

Leather made from crocodile skin.

Any of the predatory amphibious reptiles of the family Crocodylidae; (loosely) a crocodilian, any species of the order Crocodilia, which also includes the alligators, caimans and gavials.

A long line or procession of people (especially children) walking together.

(logic) A fallacious dilemma, mythically supposed to have been first used by a crocodile.

(intransitive) To speak one's native language at an Esperanto-language gathering, rather than Esperanto.

A large reptile of the genus Crocodilus, of several species. They grow to the length of sixteen or eighteen feet, and inhabit the large rivers of Africa, Asia, and America. The eggs, laid in the sand, are hatched by the sun's heat. The best known species is that of the Nile (Crocodilus vulgaris, or Crocodilus Niloticus). The Florida crocodile (Crocodilus Americanus) is much less common than the alligator and has longer jaws. The name is also sometimes applied to the species of other related genera, as the gavial and the alligator.

A fallacious dilemma, mythically supposed to have been first used by a crocodile.

Large voracious aquatic reptile having a long snout with massive jaws and sharp teeth and a body covered with bony plates; of sluggish tropical waters

Gharials have a long, narrow snout designed for catching fish, while crocodiles have a broader snout for a variety of prey.

Crocodiles can inhabit a wide range of water bodies, including rivers, lakes, wetlands, and marine areas.

Yes, some crocodile species, like the saltwater crocodile, thrive in saltwater environments.

Crocodile females guard their nests aggressively and care for their young, including carrying them to water.

Gharials are critically endangered due to habitat loss, fishing, and pollution.

Gharials mainly eat fish, while crocodiles have a more varied diet including mammals, birds, and fish.

Gharials almost exclusively eat fish due to their specialized snout.

Gharials lay eggs in sandy riverbanks and the females guard the nests until the eggs hatch.

The slender snout and sharp teeth of gharials are perfectly adapted for catching fish.

Gharials are primarily found in the freshwater rivers of the Indian subcontinent.

Conservation efforts for crocodiles include habitat protection, breeding programs, and regulations on hunting.

Crocodiles demonstrate adaptability through their varied diet, ability to live in multiple habitats, and robust physical attributes.

Male gharials have a distinctive ghara on their snout, used for sound production and attracting mates.

The conservation status of crocodiles varies by species, with some being at risk, but generally, they have more robust conservation programs.

Gharials are unique due to their extremely narrow snout and specialization in fish, setting them apart from other crocodilians.