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Double crested Basilisk

Basiliscus plumifrons

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10.5235, -83.5172

Field Notes

Description:

The Double Crested Basilisk, reaches a total length of 70-75 cm (up to 90 cm), the tail is 2.5 to 3 times longer than the body. The color is a bright green. From the neck to the base of the tail has a band formed by yellowish white to blue spots, and on the flanks has another band of spots. The belly is yellow. The brownish- yellowish color on the crest is because of the sunlight striking the body
The males have a double helmet, very conspicuous and a toothed crest in the back and tail.
 
They feed on insects, snails,crabs, frogs, fish, small lizards, but also flowers and fruits, I have seen the feeding on small fruits of palms.
Females reach sexual maturity at 15-18 months. Several times a year, the female lays up to 15 eggs, after a gestation period of approximately 50 days, which are deposited in a hole built by herself on the ground. The clutch is covered by substrate and then abandoned. These hatch after a period of 55 -105 days. A newborn green basilisk weighs about 3 g. This reptiles have the ability to run on water as you can see in one of the pictures( not so clear as the run to fast) This is due to their long hind legs and their long to wide feet. When the speed decreases, it sinks in the water. The basilisk are good divers and swimmers, and also good runners (inland) reaching speeds of approximately 11 km / h,

 

Habitat:

Rainforest

Notes:

Also know as Emerald Basilisk. Green Basilisk

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Photographed
PublishedSeptember 24, 2017

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