The false gharial (Tomistoma schlegelii), also known as the Malay gharial, is a large reptile in the crocodilian order, belonging to the Gavialidae family. It is one of only two extant species within this family and the sole species in the genus Tomistoma.

 Interesting Facts

Prominent Characteristics:

            The false gharial has an elongated snout, a slender body, and a long tail. The base of the tail is muscular and robust. It possesses 76 to 84 sharp teeth, with its eyes and nostrils positioned on the top of the head. The scales of both adults and juveniles are dark brown, with black bands across the body and tail. Juvenile false gharials are characterized by distinct black circular markings on their jaws, while their ventral scales are gray or white.

            Upon reaching adulthood, the false gharial averages 4 to 5 meters in length and weighs between 93 and 210 kilograms. Males are generally larger and heavier than females, with longer bodies and greater mass.

Primary Diet:

The natural diet of the false gharial consists of fish, birds, turtles, snakes, and various terrestrial and aquatic invertebrates. Mature individuals may also hunt larger prey, such as proboscis monkeys, crab-eating macaques, lesser mouse-deer, and other reptiles, including snakes and monitor lizards.

Habitat:
             The false gharial is distributed across the Malay Peninsula, Sarawak Island, and parts of Indonesia, including Sumatra and Borneo. It typically inhabits brackish river estuaries and mangrove forests.

Reproduction:

            The false gharial typically reaches sexual maturity at around 20 years of age. Breeding occurs during the wet season, with females constructing mound nests from aquatic vegetation and mud. Clutch sizes range from 20 to 60 eggs, which are the largest among crocodilians. Unlike many other crocodilian species, females do not guard their nests, leaving hatchlings vulnerable to predation by a variety of animals, including mongooses, tigers, leopards, and wild boars. 

Lifespan: 
             Under natural conditions, the average lifespan is estimated to be between 60 and 80 years.

Conservation Status:

            The false gharial is currently listed as Endangered (EN) by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

            The species faces numerous threats, including habitat loss due to wildfires, drainage of wetlands, deforestation, agricultural expansion, shifting cultivation, and dam construction. These activities have resulted in a 30-40% decline in the false gharial's range on the island of Sumatra.

            Although the species is legally protected throughout its range, enforcement of these protections has been insufficient to maintain viable populations and breeding sites. The international trade of false gharials is prohibited by law, but enforcement remains lax.

Interesting Fact: 

False gharials exhibit a predominantly aquatic lifestyle, spending significant time submerged in shallow water with only their eyes and nostrils visible above the surface. While they typically surface every 10–15 minutes to breathe, they are capable of prolonged submersion, particularly when alarmed, with documented instances of remaining underwater for up to two hours.