Mary River Gharial
The Mary River Gharial (Austragavialis maryriverensis) is a Gryposuchine Gavialid crocodilian endemic to the Mary River in Australia's Northern Territory.
It was described by herpetologist Richard Wells, who was informed of its existence by fish poachers, crocodile hunters, and aboriginal people.
Ecology
The Mary River Gharial is completely aquatic with an elongated jaw with numerous exposed teeth similar to that of the Indian gharial. The Mary River Gharial is able to reach a much larger size that its distant Indian relative, they have paddle-like limbs similar to a sea turtles.
Mary River Gharials are exclusive piscovores, feeding only on fish. Mary River Gharials are exclusively nocturnal. Sleeping underwater or in burrows dug out in river banks.
Conservation
The Mary River Gharial is endemic to the Mary River, due to this small range, they are very vulnerable to their population being lowered, currently they are threatened primarily by poaching and habitat loss. They are classified as Critically Endangered and their wild population may be as low as 100 individuals.