Basiliscus (lizard)

Some lizards can run on water.

They have flaps between their toes. These flaps make their feet wider. They also trap air. This helps them stay on top.

These lizards live in warm forests. They lay eggs in the ground. They can also hide in sand. Muscles keep sand out of their nose.

It is a very special animal.

Basilisks are large lizards.

They live in warm rain forests. These forests are in Mexico and Central America. Some also live in South America. The name basilisk means "little king."

These lizards have a special skill. They can run on water for short distances. People call them the "Jesus Christ lizard." This happens because of their feet. They have flaps between their toes. These flaps make the feet have a large surface area. This means the feet are wide. The flaps also trap pockets of air. This helps them stay on top of the water.

Basilisks have other ways to stay safe. They can hide by burrowing into sand. They have muscles around their nostrils. These muscles stop sand from going in their nose.

The brown basilisk is a type of basilisk. It was moved to Florida. It stays warm by hiding in dead leaves. These lizards lay 8 to 18 eggs.

Basilisks are a group of large lizards. They belong to a genus called Basiliscus. These animals live in warm, tropical rain forests. You can find them in southern Mexico and Central America. Some live in northern South America too. Their name comes from a Greek word. It means "little king."

These lizards have a very special way of moving. They can run across the surface of water. This happens because of their unique feet. They have flaps between their toes. These flaps create a large surface area. They also trap little pockets of air. This helps the lizard stay up before sinking.

Because they run on water, people have nicknames for them. Many call them the "Jesus Christ lizard." This name refers to a story about Jesus walking on water. Other lizards like sailfin lizards can also do this. Basilisks also have ways to hide from danger. They can burrow deep into the sand. A ring of muscles keeps sand out of their nostrils.

Scientists have studied these lizards for a long time. Carl Linnaeus named the species vittatus in his 10th edition. The name vittatus is Latin for "striped." There are four different species in this genus. The common basilisk lives in places like Nicaragua and Colombia. The green basilisk lives in Honduras and Costa Rica.

Some basilisks have even moved to new places. The brown basilisk was introduced to Florida. It has adapted to the colder winters there. It stays warm by burrowing into leaf litter. People have seen them in Boca Raton and Palm Beach County. They have even been seen near the Saint Lucie River.

The genus *Basiliscus* consists of large lizards known as basilisks. These reptiles are part of the corytophanid family. They are found in the tropical rain forests of southern Mexico. Their range extends through Central America into northern South America. Many people recognize them by their amazing ability to move across water. This unique skill has earned them the nickname "Jesus Christ lizard."

To understand how they run on water, we must look at their feet. Basilisks possess special flaps located between their toes. When the lizard moves, these flaps spread out. This action creates a much larger surface area. The flaps also trap small pockets of air. This combination of surface area and air helps them stay above the water. They can run bipedally, or on two legs, at high speeds. They run across the surface for short distances before they sink. Once they sink, they transition to swimming on all fours.

There are currently four extant species within the *Basiliscus* genus. Each species lives in a specific geographic area. The common basilisk, *Basiliscus basiliscus*, lives from Nicaragua to Colombia. The western basilisk, or red-headed basilisk, *Basiliscus galeritus*, is found in western Colombia and Ecuador. The plumed basilisk, also called the green basilisk, *Basiliscus plumifrons*, lives in Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama. Finally, the brown basilisk, *Basiliscus vittatus*, is found in Mexico and Central America.

Humans have studied these lizards for many years. The name *Basiliscus* comes from the Greek word *basilískos*. This word means "little king." The species *vittatus* was named by the scientist Carl Linnaeus. He included this name in the 10th edition of his work, *Systema Naturæ*. In Latin, *vittatus* means "striped."

Basilisks have several interesting biological traits. Their growth is perpetual, meaning they keep growing throughout their lives. Growth is very fast when they are young. As they reach maturity, their growth becomes nonlinear. These lizards are oviparous, which means they lay eggs. A female typically lays between 8 and 18 eggs. They also have a unique way of shedding their skin. Instead of peeling in one large piece, their skin sheds in small pieces.

Survival in the wild requires clever defense mechanisms. Basilisks often hide from predators by burrowing into the sand. They have a special physical adaptation to help with this. A ring of muscles surrounds both of their nostrils. This muscle ring prevents sand from entering their noses while they are underground. This allows them to stay hidden and safe from danger.

Some species have also moved into new environments. The brown basilisk was introduced to the state of Florida. These lizards have adapted to the colder winters in this new home. They stay warm by burrowing into leaf litter. Scientists have spotted them in places like Boca Raton and Palm Beach County. They have even been seen as far north as Fort Pierce. Some groups have even moved up the North Fork of the Saint Lucie River.