False gharial – Tommy

Scientific name :

Tomistoma schlegelii

Common name :

false gharial

Native to :

the Malaysian Peninsula and the islands of Java, Borneo and Sumatra

Maximum size :

5.5 meters

Weight :

800 kg

Conservation status :

Vulnerable (VU)

Diet :

essentially piscivorous, but also eats birds and small mammals

Characteristics :

the false gharial has a long, thin jaw, with many evenly sized teeth; like all piscivorous crocodilians, it’s very hydrodynamic.

Location in the Tropical Reserve :

between Crocodile Island 1 and Crocodile Island 2, opposite the Nile crocodiles

Reproduction :

the false gharial builds mound nests

Distribution :

Sumatra, Java, Malaysia