Basilisk Lizards

Before I leave the topic of basilisks, I have to mention a group of real-life basilisks from Central America. Basilisk lizards are smallish members of the Iguana family, measuring around 2-1/2 feet in length and with some 70% of that being the tail. Each has a crest on its head, and a sail-like fin running down the back.

There are three species. The Common Basilisk lives along the Pacific Ocean side of the isthmus and is mostly brown with black or white markings for camouflage. The Green Basilisk lives along the Gulf of Mexico and, as the name implies, it has green scales with camouflage markings. Red-Headed Basilisks stick to the southernmost part of the range. Their scales are green on the sides, reddish-brown on the upper surfaces.

These denizens of Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Ecuador, Colombia and Southern Mexico live mostly in tropical rain forests, especially near rivers and streams. They mostly live in the treetops, eating fruit, leaves, insects and small mammals. At the same time, lots of other animals would like to prey on them, so the basilisks have a great defense mechanism. If they can’t deceive enemies by hiding among the leaves, they simply drop to the water — and start running!

Yes, these are the famous Jesus Christ Lizards. With specially adapted toes, and enough momentum, they can travel as far as 15 feet over the top of the water. They sink as soon as they slow down, but that’s okay. Basilisks are very good swimmers. If the predator is especially determined, the basilisk can dive to the bottom and hang out for as long as an hour. Of course, there’s a different set of predators down there, so treetops are still their favorite places to be.

Starting in the 1980s, all three species of Basilisk were taken for the pet trade. Fortunately, they breed easily in captivity. A pet population has been established in the United States and the wild lizards are no longer hunted as much. In some parts of Florida, these lizards have established an invasive population after pets escaped or were released.

Now isn’t that just like a dragon? Wherever they go, they take over!