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Gharial


Gharial
Photo Information
Copyright: James Parker (Jamesp) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1369 W: 9 N: 6334] (18906)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2002-03
Categories: Reptiles
Camera: Canon EOS 1vHS, Canon 70-200 f 2.8 L USM, Fuji Provia 100
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Reptiles - Crocs, alligators, caimans, & garials 1, Wildlife of Nepal [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2007-08-19 8:47
Viewed: 7611
Favorites: 1 [view]
Points: 40
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
The gharial (Gavialis gangeticus), sometimes called the Indian gharial or gavial, is one of two surviving members of the family Gavialidae, a long-established group of crocodile-like reptiles with long, narrow jaws. The gharial is the second-longest of all living crocodilians: a large male can approach 6 meters in length.

The elongated jaws are lined with many interlocking, razor-sharp teeth - an adaptation to the diet (predominantly fish in adults). This species is one of the largest of all crocodilian species, approaching the saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) and the Nile crocodile in maximum size - males reach at least 5 metres in length, and often approach 6 metres. Reports of 7 metre animals exist, but are unconfirmed. The leg musculature of the gharial is not suited to enable the animal to raise the body off the ground (on land) in order to achieve the high-walk gait - being able only to push its body forward across the ground ('belly-sliding'), although it can do this with some speed when required. However, when in water, the gharial is the most nimble and quick of all the crocodiles in the world. The tail seems overdeveloped and is laterally flattened, more so than other crocodiles, this enables it to achieve the excellent water locomotive abilities.

The mating season is during November through December and well into January. The nesting and laying of eggs takes place in the dry season of March, April, and May. This is because during the dry season the rivers shrink a bit and the sandy river banks are available for nesting. Between 30 and 50 eggs are deposited into the hole that the female digs up before it is covered over carefully. After about 90 days, the juveniles emerge, although there is no record of the female assisting the juveniles into the water after they hatch (probably because their jaws are not suited for carrying the young due to the needle like teeth).However the mother does protect the young in the water for a few days till they learn to fend for themselves.
elefantino, Evelynn, nglen, Proframe, pirate, Argus, Pascaline, uleko, gracious, PaulH, anel, haraprasan, gannu, Kathleen, lovenature, pablominto has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To uleko: ScaryJamesp 2 08-20 02:05
To Proframe: Getting the gharialJamesp 1 08-20 00:05
To joey: Plastic toyJamesp 1 08-19 23:30
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Critiques [Translate]

Raramente visto qui su TN.
Ottimo scatto.
Andrea

This is a nice shot of an animal I'd just as soon not meet in person. I like the curves and shapes in this image. Great sharpness and depth of field...

TFS
Evelynn : )

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2883 W: 30 N: 9683] (36145)
  • [2007-08-19 9:02]

Hi James. He hides away so well on the waters edge. what a unusal colour.you have captured it with good detail and colours. great notes again thanks. well done .
Nick..
Have a good week.

Hi James,
You're archive must contain so many images of rare animals I never have seen before and never will get the chance to see them in my life.
This one is no exception to that.
What a beautiful shot from a beautiful high point of view wich shows the lenght of the narrow jaw perfectly.
Excellent shot with wonderful details.
Thanks for sharing and the excellent note.
Best wishes,
Harry

Hi James
what an incredible animal. good compo even if centered and good sharpness. unfavourable POV but great capture of this strange species of crocodile. GREAT NOTE
tfs
tom

  • Great 
  • joey Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1739 W: 224 N: 6872] (24909)
  • [2007-08-19 10:06]
  • [+]

Hi James,
a great shot.
Sharp and very detailed.
Almost looks like a plastic toy!
Well done,
Joe

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5038 W: 260 N: 15594] (50626)
  • [2007-08-19 10:10]

Hello James,
The best compensation to never seeing a Gharial in real life is to see a good photo of one by someone like you who has had first hand experience of seeing one in the wild.
Nice sharp and well presented capture of a what I presume is a scanned slide.
Thanks for sharing this one, Ivan

Bonjour James
Etonnant comme l'animal suit les courbes de la rive et ses couleurs se confondent avec celles de l'eau.Excellente prise de vue avec une belle netteté et très belle lumière.Etrange animal.
Amitiés

Hi James,
very nice gavial capture. composition and POV very nice. details also so good. thanks. best wishes
Ahmet

great to see this unusual crocodile, TFS Ori

  • Great 
  • arfer Gold Star Critiquer [C: 2731 W: 0 N: 0] (0)
  • [2007-08-19 20:48]

Hello James

A very good shot of this gharial.The texture and colour of the skin is wonderful.I have not seen many of these posted here on TN before.Well illuminated and composed.I like how the body curves with the shoreline.TFS

Rob

Hello James,
The reptile is well captured, a good point of view to show the details so well!
I don't know the size of this guy, but find interest in the note saying they can reach 6 m...!!
A well composed image with fine natural colours!
Greetings,
Pablo -

Hello James,
Good pov in showing the gharial with perfect sharpness, beautiful colour and details
thanks for sharing and the wonderful and useful notes
cheers
Tony

  • Great 
  • PaulH Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1137 W: 26 N: 3879] (13882)
  • [2007-08-20 0:59]

Hi James,
excellent detail and sharp focus for what seems like quite a long distance shot...these creatures never cease to amaze me. Nice colour too, i like the bluish hue to his scaley skin.
Paul

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3396 W: 172 N: 3310] (10940)
  • [2007-08-20 1:54]
  • [+]

Hello James,
I think it would be pretty scary to come across this one in the wild!! This is such an interesting species and still I think I've only once seen it presented on TV! It's very sleek looking and you've captured it in a beautiful pose following the stony edge of the shore. Great sharpness and fine colours too. Well done!
Many thanks and regards, Ulla

  • Great 
  • anel Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 3053 W: 3 N: 8715] (40574)
  • [2007-08-20 2:14]

hello James,
Amazing crature! I never heard about them, even if I'm looking a lot of films on nature. Excellent note too. Thanks for this interesting post. (you really see things almost nobody else knows)
Best regards
Anne

Hi James,
A nice capture of this gharial. You have captured it very well with excellent colors and details. But in my view POV wise could have been better. Anyway a nice shot.
Thanks a lot for sharing.

  • Great 
  • gannu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 988 W: 4 N: 3277] (14761)
  • [2007-08-20 5:33]

James, you have shot this beautifully and the composition is fantastic. The POV is beautiful. Well done

Hi James.
Wonderful image, love the composition of the curves of land and water with him sitting there. Excellent exposure, detail and colour showing him exactly from head to tail.
Superb

Kathleen

Hi James
I've never heard of the Gharial before. Very informative notes. Nicely composed, a nice portrait to show off his massive jaws and teeth.
TFS Janice

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