gavialidae is a family of reptiles within the order crocodilia. gavialidae have conventionally consisted of only one surviving species, the gharial ("gavialis gangeticus"), which is native to india and nepal. many extinct species are also known. the false gharial ("tomistoma schlegelii") has usually been thought to be a member of the family crocodylidae based on several characters including skull morphology, but has sometimes been viewed as a member of this family due to general similarities in morphology and habit. however, numerous molecular studies have consistently shown the two species to be each other's closest living relative, supporting the view that they are in the same family.