Common basilisk

The common basilisk, often referred to as the Jesus Christ lizard, is a fascinating reptile native to Central and South America. This unique lizard is renowned for its remarkable ability to run on water, a feat enabled by its specialized physical traits. Sporting a high, fin-like crest along its back, the common basilisk features a brown and cream-colored body. Males are particularly distinctive, boasting prominent crests on their heads and tails. While hatchlings are diminutive, weighing merely about 2 grams, adults can grow to lengths of up to 76 cm.

Basilisks are omnivores, consuming a diet that comprises insects, flowers, and small vertebrates. They thrive in the tropical rainforests of Central America and northwestern South America, typically inhabiting low elevations near water sources. Natural predators such as large reptiles, birds, and certain mammals pose a threat to them. To evade these dangers, basilisks may either remain motionless or make a dramatic escape by sprinting across the water.

Females lay multiple clutches of eggs each year, and the juveniles are well-camouflaged to blend into their surroundings, aiding in their avoidance of detection. The lizard's astounding water-running ability is due to its large hind feet, which have scaly fringes that increase surface area, enabling it to "walk" on water.

The common basilisk's nickname, "Jesus Christ lizard" derives from this extraordinary capability. Its scientific name is rooted in Greek mythology, meaning "little king."