# Brown Basilisk (*basiliscus vittatus*) The Brown Basilisk is a lizard that can run on water! It has a cool crest on its head that makes it look like a little dinosaur! - **Category:** [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/reptile) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 0/5 · No known danger - **Snaps:** 10 - **Habitat:** Tropical rainforests near rivers and streams. - **Also known as:** Jesus Christ lizard, Water runner ![Brown Basilisk](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Brown-basilisk-detail.jpg&width=800) Photo: Benjamint444, GFDL 1.2 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Brown-basilisk-detail.jpg) ## Appearance The Brown Basilisk has a slender body with olive to brown scales, often marked with darker crossbands and yellowish stripes along its flanks. Males display distinct crests on their head, back, and tail, making them look like miniature dinosaurs. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Squamata - **Order:** Lacertilia - **Family:** Corytophanidae - **Genus:** Basiliscus ## Interesting facts - Baby basilisks can run on water almost immediately after hatching! - Its big hind feet have fringes that fan out, helping it run on water! - Males have three crests: one on the head, one on the back, and one on the tail! - They lay their eggs in burrows, sometimes digging tunnels up to 30 cm deep! ## Special abilities - **Water Walker:** Brown Basilisks can sprint across water because of specialized feet and a fast running style that helps them escape predators. - **Underwater Escape:** Brown Basilisks can dive and stay submerged for long periods because they can hold their breath, which helps them hide from threats. - **Color Change Camouflage:** Brown Basilisks can subtly change their skin color to blend in because of specialized cells, helping them hide from predators and prey. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 50-80 cm - **Weight:** 0.2-0.6 kg - **Lifespan:** 5-7 years - **Speed:** 11 km/h - **Swim Speed:** 3 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 2-18 - **Incubation:** 60-75 days ## Diet & Feeding They munch on insects and spiders, but also enjoy a juicy fruit or flower now and then! - **Primary Foods:** insects, spiders, snails, small fish, fruits, flowers - **Foraging Method:** Ambush ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** Boa Constrictor (*Boa constrictor*) — A large snake that preys on lizards. - **Eaten by:** Mexican Parrot Snake (*Leptophis mexicanus*) — A slender snake that eats lizards. - **Eats:** [Field Cricket](https://www.snappit.app/explore/field-cricket) (*Gryllus assimilis*) — A common insect often caught by basilisks. - **Eats:** [Gray Bird Grasshopper](https://www.snappit.app/explore/gray-bird-grasshopper) (*Schistocerca nitens*) — A large grasshopper eaten by these lizards. ## Traits - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Arboreal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/arboreal): Arboreal animals live primarily in trees, utilizing them for shelter, food, and protection from predators. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. ## Collections - [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/reptiles) ## Safety **Danger:** 0/5 · No known danger No special safety notes yet. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Brown Basilisk? Compare toes, scales, head shape, crests and tail proportions. Many lizards can drop and regrow their tails, so a short tail isn't always a species trait. Lizard Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Brown Basilisk? 50-80 cm ### How much does Brown Basilisk weigh? 0.2-0.6 kg ### How long does Brown Basilisk live? 5-7 years ### How fast can Brown Basilisk move? 11 km/h ### What does Brown Basilisk eat? They munch on insects and spiders, but also enjoy a juicy fruit or flower now and then! ### How fast can Brown Basilisk swim? 3 km/h ### Where is Brown Basilisk usually found? Tropical rainforests near rivers and streams. ## Where to spot - [Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/fairchild-tropical-botanic-garden) — Florida, US · Botanical Garden - [Heathcote Botanical Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/heathcote-botanical-gardens) — Florida, US · Botanical Garden - [American Orchid Society Visitors Center and Botanical Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/american-orchid-society-visitors-center-and-botanical-garden) — Florida, US · Botanical Garden - [Butterfly World](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/butterfly-world) — Florida, US · Zoo - [Homestead Historic Downtown District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/homestead-historic-downtown-district) — Florida, US · Historic District - [John C. Gifford Arboretum](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/john-c-gifford-arboretum) — Florida, US · Botanical Garden [View all places to see Brown Basilisk](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/brown-basilisk) ## More Reptiles - [Pond Slider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/pond-slider) (*Trachemys scripta*) - [Western Fence Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-fence-lizard) (*Sceloporus occidentalis*) - [Common Five-lined Skink](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-five-lined-skink) (*Plestiodon fasciatus*) - [Desert Spiny Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/desert-spiny-lizard) (*Sceloporus magister*) --- Source: [Brown Basilisk: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-basilisk)