[gey-vee-uh
l] 
| a large crocodilian, Gavialis gangeticus, of India and Pakistan, having elongated, garlike jaws: an endangered species. |
| ga·vi·al (gā'vē-əl) n. A large reptile (Gavialis gangeticus) of southern Asia, related to and resembling the crocodiles and having a long slender snout. Also called gharial. [French, from Hindi ghaṛiyāl, from Sanskrit ghaṇṭikaḥ, alligator, gavial, probably from ghaṇṭā, bell (from the bulbous end of its snout).] |
| gha·ri·al (gŭr'ē-əl) n. See gavial. |
gharial
(Gavialis gangeticus), an exceptionally long and narrow-snouted crocodilian classified as the sole species in the separate family Gavialidae (order Crocodilia). The gavial inhabits the rivers of northern India and Nepal. Like other crocodilians, it reproduces by means of hard-shelled eggs laid in nests built by the female. It is distinguished by its long, very slender, and sharp-toothed jaws, which it sweeps sideways in order to catch fish, its main prey. The gavial normally attains a length of about 4-5 metres (12-15 feet). It does not attack humans but apparently does feed on corpses set afloat in funeral ceremonies on the Ganges River.
Learn more about gharial with a free trial on Britannica.com.