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Striped Basilisk, Brown Basilisk (juvenile)
Basiliscus vittatus
10.44, -84.01
Field Notes
Description:
The Brown Basilisk or Striped Basilisk (Basiliscus vittatus; in some areas referred to as "common basilisk") is one species of basilisk lizard.
Along with the Common Basilisk they have the nickname "Jesus Lizard" because when fleeing from a predator, they are very fast and can even run on top of the water. Basilisks actually have large hind feet with flaps of skin between each toe. The fact that they move quickly across the water, aided by their web-like feet, gives them the appearance of "walking on water".
Male Brown Basilisks can reach 61 cm in length and females are somewhat smaller.
Habitat:
Seen at La Selva Biological Station.
They are native to Panama, Belize, northwestern Colombia and Costa Rica, but have been introduced into the U.S. state of Florida as a feral species.
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