# Are Gharials Endangered?

> Are gharials endangered? Status Critically Endangered, main threats, and what protection means.

- **Species:** Gharial (*Gavialis gangeticus*)
- **Conservation status:** Critically Endangered
- **Diet:** Carnivore (mainly fish)
- **Habitat:** Deep, fast-flowing rivers
- **Lifespan:** 50–60 years
- **Canonical HTML:** https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/gharial/are-gharial-endangered/
- **Parent profile:** https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/gharial/
- **Last reviewed:** 2026-07-16

## Quick answer

The gharial is a critically endangered crocodilian of the northern Indian subcontinent, instantly recognized by its extremely long, thin snout lined with sharp teeth. This shape is perfect for catching fish, its main food, with quick sideways sweeps of the jaws. Large males develop a bulbous growth on the snout and can reach 6 m (20 ft), and gharials may live 50 to 60 years.

## Who should skip this page

Skip this if you need the full biology — use the [Gharial profile](https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/gharial/) instead.

## Behavior and the long snout

The gharial's slender snout has low water resistance, letting it whip sideways through the water to snap up fish with its many interlocking teeth. Poorly suited to walking on land, gharials are the most aquatic of the large crocodilians and usually only leave the water to bask and nest. They are not built to take large land prey and are essentially harmless to humans.

## Help protect the Gharial

The gharial is listed as Critically Endangered, with habitat loss the leading threat to its future.

[Donate to protect habitat](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/appeals/habitats/)

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Source: Global Animal Guide (https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/gharial/are-gharial-endangered/). Licensed CC BY-NC 4.0 — free for non-commercial reuse with attribution.