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False Gavial reptiles

False Gavial -
False Gavial Stats
Scientific Name:  Tomistoma schlegelii
Family:  Crocodylidae
Adult Size:  Up to about 16 feet
Range:  Indonesia
Habitat:  Remote freshwater swamps
False Gavial Species Profile

The slender, elongated snout of this shy behemoth is a radical adaptation designed to facilitate a diet primarily of fish. Long, needle like teeth line the jaws to make them an efficient fish catching tool. The jaws can move easily and quickly to catch prey that’s discovered even in muddy water. False gavials (and true gavials) are among the largest of the crocodilians, yet are not considered as hazards to mankind because of their specialized diets and retiring nature.




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