Tomistoma
Tomistoma schlegelii
A Southeast Asian crocodilian, also called the false gharial, with a very long, narrow snout for catching fish.
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About the Tomistoma
Tomistomas, also called false gharials, are freshwater crocodilians. Males can grow up to 16 feet long. They live in lakes, swamps and rivers of Indonesia and Malaysia, especially peat swamps with slow water and lots of plants. Their long, narrow snouts slice through water with little resistance, helping them catch fish. They also eat insects, crustaceans and small mammals.[1]
Quick facts
- Scientific name
- Tomistoma schlegelii[1]
- Size
- Males up to 16 feet long.[1]
- Diet
- Carnivore. Fish, insects, crustaceans and small mammals.[1]
- Habitat
- Lakes, swamps and rivers, especially peat swamps with slow water.[1]
- Where it lives
- Indonesia (Sumatra, Kalimantan and Java) and Malaysia.[1]
- Babies
- 20 to 30 eggs; no known parental care.[1]
- Conservation status
- Endangered (IUCN Red List, assessed 2022).[2]
Fun facts
Vocabulary
- crocodilian
- A member of the reptile group that includes crocodiles, alligators, caimans and gharials.
- snout
- An animal's long nose and mouth.
- countershading
- Coloring that is dark on top and light underneath, which helps an animal hide.
- cold-blooded
- Having a body temperature that changes with the surroundings; also called ectothermic.
- endangered
- A conservation label meaning a species faces a very high risk of dying out in the wild.
See it in person
- Smithsonian's National ZooWashington, D.C. · Reptile Discovery CenterSee this animal on the zoo's website ↗
These zoos had this animal when we gathered our information, but animals sometimes move. Check the zoo's website or contact the zoo before you visit.
Sources
- [1] Smithsonian's National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute. “Tomistoma.” https://nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/tomistoma (accessed 2026-10-08)
- [2] IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. “Tomistoma schlegelii (Sunda Gharial).” https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/21981/214287051 (accessed 2026-10-08)
Facts last checked 2026-10-08.
