National Conservation Zoo

Opening times today: 10am - 4pm (Last entry at 3pm)

About

Crocodiles are true survivors, with a natural history that can be traced back over 200 million years. Despite their connection to the prehistoric past, they are more advanced than any other living reptile, relying on learning rather than instinct, which makes them one of the most efficient and successful predators in the world today.

Crocodylia (which includes crocodiles, caimans, alligators, and gharials) are amphibious reptiles, spending much of their time in water around rivers, lakes, and swamps in tropical areas.

This mysterious type of crocodile is native to the rainforests of Southeast Asia and can be found in remote swamps and rivers, as well as hiding in the shadows on the edge of the forest. They resemble a crocodile, but they have a very distinctive long, narrow snout and around 80 needle-like teeth, which are ideal for catching fish, frogs, monkeys, and even deer.

Sunda gharial crocodile  at Chester Zoo
Sunda gharial crocodile facts
SPECIES
I am a reptile

The sunda gharial is a freshwater crocodile. 

FOUND IN
South-East Asia

Due to habitat loss, hunting, and poaching, they are now only found in Borneo and Sumatra.

HABITAT
Lowland swamp forests and peat swamps

Sunda gharials prefer slow-moving water and abundant vegetation to allow them to hide.

DIET
Carnivore

Most of their diet consists of fish and small vertebrates, but mature crocodiles will also feed on larger animals.

BEHAVIOUR
Shy and secretive

There is no evidence to suggest that Sunda gharial parents care for their young after they hatch, which is unusual for crocodilians.

AVERAGE SIZE
Up to 5m

Sunda gharials have the longest skull of any crocodilian species. 

LIFE SPAN
Up to 80 years
ZOO LOCATION
Monsoon Forest
IUCN red list statusVulnerable
Animal vulnerability index

Threats

Threat Hunting
Hunting or collection
Threat Humans
Human intervention
Threat Climate Change
Climate change and severe weather