Basiliscus (lizard)

This article is about a genus of large corytophanid lizards. For the mythological creature, see Basilisk. For other uses, see Basilisk (disambiguation) and Basiliscus (disambiguation).

Basiliscus is a genus of large corytophanid lizards, commonly known as basilisks, which are endemic to southern Mexico, Central America, and northern South America. The genus contains four species, which are commonly known as the Jesus Christ lizard, or simply the Jesus lizard, due to their ability to run across water for significant distances before sinking due to the large surface area of their feet.

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.

Taxonomy and etymology

Both the generic name, Basiliscus, and the common name, "basilisk", derive from the Greek basilískos (βασιλίσκος) meaning "little king". The specific epithet, vittatus, which is Latin for "striped", was given in Carl Linnæus' 10th edition of Systema Naturæ.^[1]

Description

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 are oviparous and lay 8–18 eggs.^[2]

Running on water

Basilisks sometimes run bipedally. 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 of Jesus 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 the sailfin lizards and a few species of anole lizards.^[4][5]

Other defense mechanisms

Basilisks can burrow into sand to hide from predators; a ring of muscles around both nostrils prevents sand from entering the nose.^{[citation needed]}

Habitat and geographic range

Basilisks are abundant in the tropical rain forests of Central and South America, from southern Mexico to Ecuador and Venezuela.^{[citation needed]}

Invasive species

The species Basiliscus vittatus (brown basilisk) has been introduced to Florida.^[6] It has adapted to the colder winters by burrowing into leaf litter for warmth.^{[citation needed]} Current reports sight the brown basilisk as far north as Fort Pierce, on the state's East Coast, where small groups have crept up the North Fork of the Saint Lucie River.^{[citation needed]} Mainly it has been seen in Boca Raton and other cities in Palm Beach County.^{[citation needed]} as seen in this photo taken in West Palm Beach, Florida.

Classification

Genus Basiliscus has four extant species:^[7]

Image	Scientific name	Common Name	Distribution
	Basiliscus basiliscus (Linnaeus, 1758)	common basilisk	from southwestern Nicaragua to northwestern Colombia on the Pacific side, and from central Panama to northwestern Venezuela
	Basiliscus galeritus A.M.C. Duméril & A.H.A. Duméril, 1851	western basilisk, red-headed basilisk	western Colombia and western Ecuador
	Basiliscus plumifrons Cope, 1875	plumed basilisk, green basilisk, double crested basilisk	eastern Honduras, through Nicaragua and Costa Rica, to western Panama
	Basiliscus vittatus Wiegmann, 1828	brown basilisk, striped basilisk	Mexico, Central America and adjacent northwestern Colombia