Ikanogavialis (SciiFii)

The marine gharial (Ikanogavialis papuensis), also known as the Murua gharial and the New Guinea gharial, is a species of gavialid crocodilian of the subfamily Gryposuchinae that originally lived Muyua or Woodlark Island in Papua New Guinea during the Holocene and was once extinct, but has since been brought back from extinction by SciiFii and reintroduced throughout the modern coastal regions of Papua New Guinea to help boost biodiversity. Unlike gharials or relatives, the marine gharials are exclusively marine reptiles and prefer to be away from freshwater environments, although the freshwater habitats do not negatively impact the marine gharials' health. The marine gharial is slightly smaller than its relatives, but is still a rather large reptile in its native environment, growing to be about 2 meters (6.5 feet) in length. As a carnivore, the marine gharial primarily feeds on fish, small crustaceans, squid, and cuttlefish, using its long, toothy snout with needle-sharp teeth. The marine gharials are mound-nesters. Females lay small clutches of 13 to 35 eggs per nest. Sexual maturity in females appears to be attained around 1.5 to 1.8 meters (4.9 to 5.9 ft), which is large compared to other crocodilians. Once the eggs are laid, and construction of the mound is completed, the female abandons her nest. Unlike most other crocodilians, the young receive no parental care and are at risk of being eaten by predators. The young hatch after 90 days and are left to fend for themselves. The conservation status of the marine gharial is Vulnerable due to some habitat loss and historic poaching, however, thanks to the conservationists, the marine gharial is a protected species.
Category:Animals
Category:Species
Category:SciiFii