Animal Diversity Web

Geographic Range

Basiliscus vittatus is native to Latin America. It is found from Central Mexico southward to northern Colombia. Just recently it has been introduced to Florida. In Guatemala, this species is widespread, found practically anywhere where there is a water source (Campbell 1998).

• Biogeographic Regions
• nearctic
  • introduced
  • native
• neotropical
  • native

Habitat

This species can be found in tropical and subtropical wet, moist, and dry forests. It occurs in dense vegetation along the margin of practically any body of water. (Campbell, 1998)

• Habitat Regions
• tropical
• terrestrial

• Terrestrial Biomes
• forest
• rainforest

• Other Habitat Features
• riparian

Physical Description

Males may slightly exceed 2 feet in total length, whereas females are considerably smaller (Bartlett 1999). Adult males have a large flaplike crest that is supported by flexible cartilage and projects from the back of the head to the neck. They also have a crest that extends from above their shoulders to about the level of the hind legs (Campbell 1998). The females have a folded "hood" outlining the back of the head and a lower vertebral crest than the males (Bartlett 1999). The head is large and males have a more elongate snout than the females. The tails and limbs are long and slender, the toes have a distinctive series of scales that form a fringe on each side, and the tail is laterally compressed (Campbell 1998). This is an unmistakable, gangly, brown lizard. Basilisks can both hop and run swiftly. They are able to run over still water when they are startled. Both males and females are dark-barred dorsally and have variably distinct yellowish dorsolateral lines. The lips and venter are light. Young specimens are particularly prominently patterned (Bartlett 1999). (Bartlett, 1999; Campbell, 1998)

• Other Physical Features
• heterothermic

• Sexual Dimorphism
• male larger
• sexes shaped differently
• ornamentation

• Range length

  60 (high) cm

  23.62 (high) in

Reproduction

Sexual maturity is reached at about 9 to 10 cm. at less than a year of age, and during the wet season it has been estimated that hatchlings may reach sexual maturity in as little as three months (Campbell 1998). Females lay 3 to 12 eggs from May to August in a secluded moisture retaining nesting site, usually a hole along a canal bank. The young hatch during the early part of the rainy season from June to September in about 55 to 65 days. (Bartlett, 1999; Campbell, 1998)

• Key Reproductive Features
• iteroparous
• seasonal breeding
• sexual
• fertilization
  • internal
• oviparous

• Breeding interval

  Striped basilisks breed once yearly.

• Range number of offspring

  3 to 12

• Range gestation period

  55 to 65 days

• Range age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female)

  3 to 12 months

• Range age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male)

  3 to 12 months

Females choose a safe nest site for their eggs. After laying the eggs there is no further parental care.

• Parental Investment
• female parental care

Lifespan/Longevity

• Average lifespan
  Status: captivity

  5.8 years

  Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research

Behavior

This lizard is quite arboreal, and can be seen in bushes and the lower branches of trees or thickets, but also spends time on the ground (Campbell 1998). At night it can be found sleeping in vine-covered thickets or in the open on low bushes (Campbell 1998). This is an alert, agile, speed-demon of a lizard (Bartlett 1999). They are difficult to approach. Basilisks are capable of climbing, running, and swimming, all with equal facility. Adult males are particularly wary and may often be heard crashing to safety through the underbrush (Bartlett 1999). (Bartlett, 1999; Campbell, 1998)

• Key Behaviors
• arboreal
• terricolous
• diurnal
• sedentary
• solitary

Food Habits

Striped basilisks feed mostly on insects but are reported to sometimes feed on fallen berries (Campbell 1998). (Campbell, 1998)

• Primary Diet
• carnivore
  • insectivore

• Animal Foods
• insects
• terrestrial non-insect arthropods

• Plant Foods
• fruit

Predation

The brown basilisk relies mainly on alertness and speed to avoid predators, but may lash its tail vigorously if caught.

Other Comments

Because of this lizards ability to run across water in short distances, in certain circles it has been christened the "lagartija de Jesu Cristo," Jesus Christ lizard (Campbell 1998).

Contributors

Alissa Wentz (author), Michigan State University, James Harding (editor), Michigan State University.

References

Bartlett, R. 1999. A Field Guide to Florida Reptiles and Amphibians. FLorida: Gulf Publishing Company.

Campbell, J. 1998. Amphibians and Reptiles of Northern Guatemala, the Yucatan, and Belize. Norman: University of Oklahoma Press.