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How is the gharial adapted for catching fish?

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Illustration of an estuarine or saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) with its mouth open, showing scaly skin and powerful limbs, alongside a scale bar for size reference. — crocodile Estuarine, or saltwater, crocodile (*Crocodylus porosus*), found in brackish waters from Sri Lanka, India, Bangladesh, and Myanmar east to the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu and south to Australia.

The gharial (also known as the gavial) is highly specialized for catching fish, which constitute its primary diet as an adult. Its adaptations include:1

Specialized Snout and Teeth: The gharial possesses an exceptionally long, narrow snout equipped with 110 sharp, interlocking teeth. This slender design allows the animal to sweep its jaws sideways through the water with minimal resistance, enabling it to quickly seize and hold onto slippery prey.1
Sensory Detection: As an aquatic ambush predator, the gharial often lurks just below the water's surface. It utilizes sensitive sensory organs located in its scales to detect vibrations in the water, which allows it to precisely gauge the position of nearby prey before striking.1

These physical traits distinguish the gharial from other crocodilians and make it a highly efficient hunter in its riverine environments.1