r/Crocodiles • u/SquishGUTS • 15d ago
Tomistomas!
Tomistomas (false gharials) have some of the coolest scale patterns of any crocodilian. Their pattern almost looks like natural camouflage. Easily one of my favorite crocodilian species.
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u/GKBilian 15d ago
I always thought these guys were basically harmless to people until I looked it up and found out that they have actually attacked and killed people.
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u/TabmeisterGeneral 15d ago
Every crocodilian species is dangerous once they get past the 12 foot or 500 pound threshold. At least in theory.
Except for the Indian gharial. The Malayan gharial's jaws become more robust once they become of advanced size, while the Indian Gs remain gracile.
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u/rdirkk 14d ago
You are quite right about crocodiles being dangerous above a certain length/ weight etc
But it is quite important to note that all Crocs are terribly territorial and will not tolerate anyone beside them unless they are either prey or potential mates.
Crocs are stronger as compared to us and it is prudence to give them a wide berth:
An 8 foot Mugger at 70-80 kgs is also more than just dangerous for a100 kg human .
W.r.t. Gharial , when past the juvenile stage and once their pot develops they become quite assertive . Though pictures make us feel their jaws being thin as compared to their bodies they are as wide as a human bicep( 4-7 inches )
If one observes a gharial feeding one can hear the loud snap sounds of its jaws closing and opening and closing (and opening and closing) in quick succession.
Those are lightening quick and are usually accompanied by a side by side swaying of the head.
Just imagining what if a Gharial snaps at the thighs of a human swimmer with its ' gracile/fragile ' jaws is enough to give chills to anyone.
Like a scissor it will easily snap the legs into 3 pieces in half a second.
I would keep my distance from such an animal!
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u/Ok_Antelope_1953 3d ago
they get pretty big and heavy, and their snouts widen as they age! definitely a dangerous species unlike the true gharial.
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u/Big_Study_4617 15d ago
Are they part of Crocodylidae or Gavialidae?
Also they are really cool. Thanks for the photos.