Subhasis Banerjee

GHARIAL The Gharial ( Gavialis gangeticus ), also known as the ‘ Fish-Eating Crocodile’ , is a species of Crocodile in the family Gavialidae and among the longest of all living crocodiles on earth. Mature females are 2.6 m – 4.5 m (8 ft 6 in –14 ft 9 in) long and males 3 m – 6 m (9 ft 10 in – 19 ft 8 in). They have a distinct boss at the end of the snout, which resembles an earthenware pot known as a ghara , hence the name "Gharial". The Gharial is well adapted to catching fish because of its long, thin snout and 110 sharp, interlocking teeth. It is the most thoroughly aquatic crocodile, and leaves the water only for basking and building nests on moist sandbanks. The Gharial probably evolved in the northern Indian subcontinent. Fossil Gharial remains were excavated in Pliocene deposits in the Shivalik Hills and the Narmada River valley. It currently inhabits rivers in the plains of the northern part of the Indian subcontinent. The ...

HORNBILL The Hornbills ( Buceros bicornis ) are a family of bird found in tropical and subtropical Africa, Asia and Melanesia. They are characterized by a long, down-curved beak which is frequently brightly coloured and sometimes has a casque on the upper mandible. Its impressive size and colour have made it important in many tribal cultures and rituals. The great hornbill is long-lived and is predominantly frugivorous but is an opportunist and will prey on small mammals, reptiles and birds. The most prominent feature of the hornbill is the bright yellow and black  casque  on top of its massive bill. The casque appears U-shaped when viewed from the front and the top is concave, with two ridges along the sides that form points in the front. The back of the casque is reddish in females, while the underside of the front and back of the casque is black in males. The wing beats are heavy and the sound produced by birds in flight can be heard from a distance. This sound has be...