Toyotamaphimeia (SciiFii)

The Japanese gharial (Toyotamaphimeia machikanensis) is a species of gavialid crocodilian that originally lived from the Pleistocene of Japan and was once extinct, but has since been brought back from extinction by SciiFii and reintroduced throughout the modern rainforests, wetlands, and riverbanks across Japan to help boost biodiversity. Reaching a a total length up to 7.7 meters (25 feet), the Japanese gharial is a very larger crocodilian and the largest living crocodilian of Japan. The skull of the Japanese gharial is triangular in shape and longirostrine. The Japanese gharial shares characteristics of both tomistomines and derived gharials, such as a sexually dimorphic vocal structure. The Japanese gharial is an average-colored crocodilian, being generally brownish yellow in colour, sometimes deep green and occasionally white. Young animals are typically yellow in coloration. Despite having a narrow snout, the Japanese gharial has a generalist diet. In addition to fish and smaller aquatic animals, mature adults prey on larger vertebrates, including Japanese langurs, macaques, deer, water birds, and reptiles. Despite this, attacks on humans are very rare, and only two Japanese gharial fatalities on humans have been recorded. Japanese gharials are mound-nesters. Females lay small clutches of 13 to 35 eggs per nest. Sexual maturity in females appears to be attained around 3.4 to 3.9 meters (11.1 to 12.7 feet), which is large compared to other crocodilians. Japanese gharials breed as early as February and generally start nesting during early spring. 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, such as mongooses, tigers, leopards, raccoon dogs, and wild dogs. The young hatch after 90 days and are left to fend for themselves. The conservation status of the Japanese gharial is Vulnerable due to habitat loss and poaching, however, thanks to conservationists, the Japanese gharial is a protected species and is making a comeback, largely in part due to captive breeding programs.
Category:Animals
Category:Species
Category:SciiFii