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| Basilisks | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Brown basilisk,Basiliscus vittatus, Costa Rica | |
Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Iguania |
| Family: | Corytophanidae |
| Genus: | Basiliscus Laurenti, 1768 |
| Type species | |
| Draco basiliscus Linnaeus, 1758 | |
| Species | |
Four, see text. | |
Basiliscus is agenus of largecorytophanidlizards, commonly known asbasilisks, which areendemic to southernMexico,Central America, and northernSouth America. The genus contains four species, which are commonly known as theJesus Christ lizard, or simply theJesus lizard, due to their ability to run across water for significant distances before sinking due to the large surface area of their feet.
Both thegeneric name,Basiliscus, and the common name, "basilisk", derive from theGreekbasilískos (βασιλίσκος) meaning "little king". Thespecific epithet,vittatus, which isLatin for "striped", was given inCarl Linnæus'10th edition ofSystema Naturæ.[1]
Basilisks on average measure 70 to 75 cm (28 to 30 in) in total length (including tail). Their growth is perpetual, fast when they are young and nonlinear for mature basilisks. Their skin is shed in pieces.[citation needed]
Basilisks areoviparous and lay 8–18 eggs.[2]
Basilisks sometimes runbipedally. Basilisks have the ability to "run" on water,[2][3] and because of this, they have been dubbed the "Jesus Christ lizard" in reference to the biblical passage ofJesus walking on water.[3] On water, basilisks can run at a velocity of 1.5 meters (4.9 feet) per second for approximately 4.5 meters (15 feet) before sinking on all fours and swimming.[3] Flaps between their toes help support basilisks, creating a larger surface and pockets of air, giving them the ability to run across water.[3]
A similar behavior, running bipedally across water, is known from thesailfin lizards and a few species ofanole lizards.[4][5]
Basilisks can burrow into sand to hide from predators; a ring of muscles around both nostrils prevents sand from entering the nose.[citation needed]
Basilisks are abundant in the tropical rain forests of Central and South America, from southern Mexico toEcuador andVenezuela.[citation needed]
The speciesBasiliscus vittatus (brown basilisk) has been introduced toFlorida.[6] It has adapted to the colder winters by burrowing intoleaf litter for warmth.[citation needed] Current reports sight the brown basilisk as far north asFort Pierce, on the state'sEast Coast, where small groups have crept up the North Fork of theSaint Lucie River.[citation needed] Mainly it has been seen inBoca Raton and other cities inPalm Beach County.[citation needed] as seen in this photo taken in West Palm Beach, Florida.
GenusBasiliscus has four extant species:[7]
| Image | Scientific name | Common Name | Distribution |
|---|---|---|---|
.jpg) | Basiliscus basiliscus(Linnaeus,1758) | common basilisk | from southwestern Nicaragua to northwestern Colombia on the Pacific side, and from central Panama to northwestern Venezuela |
 | Basiliscus galeritusA.M.C. Duméril &A.H.A. Duméril, 1851 | western basilisk, red-headed basilisk | western Colombia and western Ecuador |
 | Basiliscus plumifronsCope, 1875 | plumed basilisk, green basilisk, double crested basilisk | eastern Honduras, through Nicaragua and Costa Rica, to western Panama |
_(6775707063).jpg) | Basiliscus vittatusWiegmann, 1828 | brown basilisk, striped basilisk | Mexico, Central America and adjacent northwestern Colombia |
