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REPTILIA:
SQUAMATA: IGUANIDAE: Basiliscus
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Basiliscus plumifrons
Cope, 1876
Green basilisk
Photos
& text by Dr. Robert Sprackland.
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Range:
Southern
Central America.
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Diagnosis:
The only basilisk that is bright green. The males
have a unique double head crest (the anterior one very small).
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Description:
Head triangular in profile. ear openings present, slightly larger than
eyes. Eyes round with round pupils and yellow iris. A feeble gular pouch
is present. Body covered with small granular scales, and laterally
compressed. Hind limbs much longer than front limbs, with long
flattened toes. The tail is strongly compressed and has a crest
running down its length. The lizard is predominantly green, with white,
gray or bluish markings on the body. Some populations also have black
dorsal markings. The belly is green, but lighter than the sides. The tail
may be unmarked or have thin black bands. Green basilisk may grow to 30
inches/0.75 meters overall.
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These two
magnificent males show the variability of the color pattern in this
species. Note the greater white markings and the presence of black in the
lizard shown above. |
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Natural History:
Of the four basilisk species, this is
unquestionably the most handsome and brightly colored. Like other
basilisks, this species lives near water, spending much of its time
basking on overhanging vegetation or foraging for food. The diet includes
insects, spiders, smaller lizards, small mammals, crawfish and snails.
They swim well and can remain submerged in excess of ten minutes. If
frightened while on land, basilisks can run on the hind legs, sprinting so
rapidly towards the water that they can literally run across the surface
of a pond for several yards before diving underwater.
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Reproduction:
Lays eggs.
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Taxonomy & Relationships:
All four Basiliscus species are closely
allied to the crested iguanas (Corythophanes) and cone-headed
iguanas (Laemanctus), also of Central America. Some authors place
these genera into family of their own, Corythophaniidae.
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Variation:
Lizards are always bright green, but the amount
of white, grayish or pale blue spots varies considerably. Adult males
have four vertebral crests: a tiny crest just behind the eyes, a much
larger one at the back of the head, a dorsal crest, and a tail crest.
Females and young have only the second head crest (greatly reduced) and a
feeble tail crest.
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Additional Comments:
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Type Specimen:
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Literature:
Lang, Mathias. 1989. Phylogenetic and
biogeographic patterns of basiliscine iguanians (Reptilia: Squamata:
"Iguanidae"). Bonner Zoologische Monographien Nr. 28.
Sprackland,
Robert. 1992. Giant Lizards. TFH Publications. ISBN: 0-86622-634-6.
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