The basilisk lizard, sometimes called the Jesus Christ lizard, is native to the tropical forests of Central America, where it lives near rivers, streams, and ponds. It is best known for its ability to run short distances across the surface of water on its hind legs, using large, fringed toes that slap the water fast enough to create pockets of air that briefly support its weight. When it can no longer stay above the surface, the lizard simply switches to swimming, since it is also a capable swimmer.
Facts
Classification
System (Realm) Relationship to PeopleInvasive or Introduced Species 1 Living or Extinct Scientific Name Connections
Child Taxon Of
Source GBIF Backbone Taxonomy: Basiliscus
In Biome
Source Wikipedia: Basiliscus (lizard)
In the Other Atlases
Found In
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Sources
1. Wikipedia: Basiliscus (lizard)
Wikipediaarticle text (relationship to people), EntityId 344589
The species Basiliscus vittatus (brown basilisk) has been introduced to Florida.
Infobox: taxon
Basiliscus
Habitat and distribution
Basilisks are abundant in the tropical rain forests of Central and South America
In Biome: Tropical Rainforest, Habitat and geographic range
Basilisks are abundant in the tropical rain forests of Central and South America, from southern Mexico to Ecuador and Venezuela.
View the Source 2. Basilisk lizard (Wikipedia)
GBIF Backbone Taxonomy: Basiliscus
GBIF Backbone TaxonomyChild Taxon Of: Corytophanidae, Taxon recordQuote, Child Taxon Of: Corytophanidae, Taxon record
"family": "Corytophanidae"
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