Gharial

CR Carnivore Rivers, Lakes
Up to 1500 kg
Weight
40–60 yrs
Lifespan
32 km/h
Top Speed
Indian subcontinent
Found In

The Gharial is one of the world’s most critically endangered carnivore reptiles. Found in Indian subcontinent, it inhabits rivers, lakes habitats.

Physical Characteristics & Habitat

Size & Speed

Metric Gharial Carnivore Reptiles Median Difference
Weight 1.5K kg 90 kg ↑ 1567%
Height 600 cm
Top Speed 32 km/h 20 km/h ↑ 60%
Avg Speed 32 km/h
Weight (kg)1.5Kavg 90Speed (km/h)32avg 20Lifespan (yrs)50avg 23.8

Habitat & Distribution

The Gharial inhabits rivers, lakes habitats. It can be found in Indian subcontinent.

Typical coloring: Brownish-gray.

Diet & Predators

Diet: Carnivore
Predators: Crocodiles, Tigers

Behavior & Reproduction

Social Structure

The Gharial is a solitary species belonging to the Gavialidae family.

Reproduction

Gestation Period: 94–123 days
Offspring per Birth: 20-95
Lifespan: 40–60 years

Conservation & Comparison

IUCN Conservation Status

CR The Gharial is classified as Critically Endangered. There are 19 species with the same status in our database.

Species Comparison

Among 11 carnivore reptiles, the Gharial’s weight of Up to 1500 kg is significantly higher than the group median of 90 kg.

Weight rank: #1 of 19 Critically Endangered species.

# Species Weight Status
1 Gharial Up to 1500 kg CR
2 Black Rhinoceros 800–1400 kg CR
3 Sumatran Rhino 750–950 kg CR
4 Sumatran Rhinoceros 500–950 kg CR
5 White Tiger 100–300 kg CR

Related Species

How much does a Gharial weigh?

A Gharial typically weighs Up to 1500 kg, which is exceptionally high compared to the median of 90 kg among carnivore reptiles.

What is the conservation status of the Gharial?

The Gharial is classified as “Critically Endangered”. There are 19 species with the same status in our database.

Where does the Gharial live?

The Gharial is found in Indian subcontinent, in rivers, lakes habitats.

How does the Gharial reproduce?

The Gharial has a gestation period of 94–123 days and typically produces 20-95 offspring per birth.

Data Sources: IUCN, WWF, National Geographic, Smithsonian Institution.

Last Updated: April 10, 2026