Pick one species as your favorite creature! It could be an animal, plant, fungus
ID: 166059 • Letter: P
Question
Pick one species as your favorite creature! It could be an animal, plant, fungus or bacteria. Humans and pets are excluded. Use reliable information sources to research this creature and answer at least 3 of these questions:
Which other species is your favorite creature related to and what are some of its ancestors?
What makes your favorite creature unique compared to other species?
Are there any concerns about the population status of your species? Is its population affected by human activities? Explain.
What is your favorite creature's geographic range? In which ecosystem/biome does it live?
How does your favorite creature fit into the food web? What does it eat? And who eats it?
Everyone must also include why you picked this particular species as your favorite creature, and at least one embedded picture or video of your species.
Explanation / Answer
Gharial
It is related to crocodiles and alligatoes, and they share a common ancestor, the phytosaurs of triassic period.
It has a unique snout which gives up the mechanical strength which it received from its dinosaur ancestors, in favour of faster speed in water.
The gharial is critically endangered, with less than 300 remaining. It lives near industrial, agricultural and densely populated areas and is under heavy threat from humans.
It is found in the river basins of the Indian subcontienent, especially flowing rivers with deep pools and high sand banks.