Common basilisk

Basilisk ( Basiliscus basiliscus )

The Basilisk ( Basiliscus basiliscus ) is a lizard from the subordination of the iguana -like, which is spread between Costa Rica and northwestern Colombia.

Description

The Basilisk reached a weight of 200-500 g, a length of about 80 cm, of which the tail occupies 50 cm. The top is olive green to brown and patterned with dark cross bands, the ventral side is yellowish.

The name derives from a cartilaginous, aided by a bony ridge crest at the back of the males. Back and tail are characterized by sail -like ridges. The long toes end in sharp claws. There are Schuppensäume in which air pockets created that allow the animal to travel short distances on the surface of water at high speed on the toes edges.

Way of life

Helmet basilisks live in trees at forest lakes, rivers and streams. Your areas have a size of 500 to 1000 m. They swim and dive well and can, running on its hind legs, standing, crossing calm water. They attain a speed of 12 km / h The food range includes insects, snails, small lizards, frogs and fish. In addition, but also flowers and fruits are consumed. They breed throughout the year continued on. The females lay five to eight times per year up to 20 eggs in the ground. The eggs are about 2.1 to 2.4 cm long and 1.2 to 1.5 cm wide. Until hatching of the young, depending on temperature after 70 to 150 days, they are increasing in size and weight. The hatchlings are about 11 cm long at hatching.