Reptiles · Squamata · Corytophanidae

Green Basilisk

Basiliscus plumifrons

Least Concern

The species is abundant and widely distributed; it faces no significant short-term risk. See full glossary

Popularly known as the 'Jesus Christ lizard' for its extraordinary ability to run across the surface of water on its hind legs, reaching speeds of up to 1.5 m/s.

Weight

up to 66 g

Size

up to 90 cm

Lifespan

10 years

Diet

Omnivore

Combines animal and plant food depending on availability.

Activity

Diurnal

Active mainly during the day.

Social structure

Solitary

Lives and hunts alone, joining others only to breed.

Sighting difficulty

Easy

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Fun facts

Flaps of skin on its toes increase the contact area and trap a pocket of air that keeps it from sinking as it runs across water.
It eats insects, small vertebrates, fruit and flowers.
It lives in tropical rainforest near rivers and streams in Central America and northern South America.
locomociónIt can run across the surface of water thanks to flaps of skin on its hind feet that trap small pockets of air.

Life cycle & biology

Skeleton type: Vertebrate - internal bony skeleton (reptile)
Habitat & environment: Tropical rainforest near rivers and streams in Central America and northern South America
Birth weight: ~2 grams; ~4.3 cm snout-to-vent on hatching
Size at birth: ~4.3 cm snout-to-vent on hatching
Sexual maturity: 18-24 months
Gestation / incubation: 8-10 weeks (56-70 days)
Litter / clutch size: 5 to 17 eggs per clutch, with up to 4-5 clutches a season
Lifespan in captivity: Documented record of up to 13 years in captivity

Sources consulted: AnAge (genomics.senescence.info); Animal Spot; National Geographic; Animalia.bio; Smithsonian National Zoo; Grokipedia (Plumed basilisk); Wikipedia (Plumed basilisk); ReptCo Care Sheet