Saving the Gharial — Flashcards

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They felt instantly revived because they finally saw the River Padma after walking for hours in the hot sun. The river was their destination, so reaching it brought relief and fresh hope.

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It means the bright blue-green water of the river finally became visible. The phrase creates a vivid picture and shows how relieved and excited the travellers felt.

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A gharial is a crocodilian with a very long snout and sharp teeth. It is a river-dweller and eats only fish.

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The gharial lives in rivers and eats only fish. Most other crocodiles can live in ponds or lakes as well, but the gharial is specially adapted for river life.

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The ghara is a strange appendage that grows on the tip of an adolescent male gharial's snout, around age twelve. It resembles a pot, covers the nostrils, and helps the male make a buzz-snort sound.

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The ghara helps the male attract females and warn off rival males. When he breathes out forcefully, it produces a buzz-snort sound that carries across the water.

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It is a special way for the gharial to advertise its presence under water. It helps mark territory and may also help in stunning prey.

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The ghara is a body part found on adolescent male gharials, while the underwater jaw-clap is a behaviour. The ghara helps produce the buzz-snort, and the jaw-clap is used to show control over territor…