A large male Gharial on the Chambal river

This is a very large male leaving the shallows of the Uttar Pradesh bank of the Chambal river. Note the very large bulbous growth at the tip of its snout. This is called a "ghara" after the Indian mud pot which it is said to resemble. It has several functions including covering the male crocodiles' nostrils, acting as a vocal resonator, creating a loud, buzzing sound when the gharial vocalises and it is also a visual signal for females helping them to choose a mate, Gharials are dimorphic as the females do not possess a ghara. Additionally the females are only about 2/3rds the size of the males which are one of the largest crocodilians and can grow up to 6 metres long. Gharials also produce the largest eggs of any crocodilian with an average weight of 160 gms. These critically endangered crocodiles have lost over 98% of their population during the past 70-80 years. Very impressive creatures.