Unix Backup and Recovery

Colophon

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The animal on the cover of Unix Backup & Recovery is an Indian gharial (sometimes spelled gavial), a resident of deep, fast-moving rivers in India and neighboring countries. Growing six to seven meters long, the gharial is one of the largest members of the crocodilian family. It is most notable for its extremely long, narrow snout. This snout, which is lined with razor-sharp teeth, is perfectly suited for catching and eating fish, the gharial’s principal food. The narrow shape results in little water resistance, making rapid side-to-side snatched easy. The many sharp teeth are well-suited for holding onto struggling, slippery fish. The gharial’s short, poorly muscled legs make it a very awkward mover on land, and thus it only emerges from the water for nesting and basking in the sun. Like other crocodiles, the gharial has often been accused of being a man eater. However, this animals is as poorly suited for eating humans as it is well-suited for eating fish. Findings of human remains and jewelry in gharial stomachs has perpetuated this belief, but since Hindi burial rituals in the gharial’s habitat involve setting the cremated body afloat in the river, this is probably where these items come from.

Gharials are highly endangered, ...