Difference Between Indian Mugger Crocodile and Gharial

India is home to three primary crocodilians species,Mugger, Saltwater crocodiles and the Gharial. Major difference is Habitat and distribution, Mugger crocodiles are medium and found in freshwater lakes and ponds, Gharial is the rarest species and limited to Chambal and Yamuna river. Saltwater crocodiles are the largest crocodiles live in Bhittarkanika mangroves and Sunderbans National Parks.

Mugger (Crocodylus Palustris)

Mugger Crocodile is a medium-sized crocodile, only found throughout the Indian subcontinent. The mugger are ambush hunters that mostly inhabits freshwater lakes,rivers, marsh and swamps forest of India. The Mugger Crocodiles are the India’s most commonly seen river predators.

Saltwater Crocodile (Crocodylus Porosus)

Saltwater Crocodile is the largest living reptile in the world,live in mangrove forest of sunderbans, swamps of Bhitarkanika and near the lower stretches of rivers. The saltwater crocodiles are also found coastal areas of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and within the Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary of Odisha.

Gharial (Gavialis Gangeticus)

Gharial or the fish eating crocodile is one of longest living crocodilians in the world, found in northern part of the Indian Subcontinent. The gharial is listed as Critically Endangered due to the loss of riverine habitat, now only found in Chambal River.

Nile Crocodile: Nile Crocodile is the second largest extant reptile in the world, found throughout Sub-Saharan Africa.
American Alligator: American Alligators are apex predators of Alligatoridae family, endemic to the freshwater wetlands of United States.
Black Caiman: Black Caiman is the biggest extant members of Alligatoridae, found only in the Amazon basin habitats of South America.