Editing Common basilisk

{{Short description|Species of lizard}}
{{confused|Plumed basilisk}}
{{For|the plant species|Prangos ferulacea}}
{{Speciesbox
| name = Common basilisk
| image = Common basilisk (Basiliscus basiliscus) male 2.jpg
| image_caption = Male
| image2 = Common basilisk (Basiliscus basiliscus) female.jpg
| image2_caption = Female<br>both in Panama
| status = LC
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| status_ref =<ref name="iucn status 12 November 2021">{{cite iucn |author=Acosta Chaves, V. |author2=Batista, A. |author3=García Rodríguez, A. |author4=Vargas Álvarez, J. |author5=Schargel, W. |author6=Rivas, G. |date=2016 |title=''Basiliscus basiliscus'' |volume=2016 |page=e.T203044A2759201 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-1.RLTS.T203044A2759201.en |access-date=12 November 2021}}</ref>
| genus = Basiliscus
| species = basiliscus
| authority = ([[Carl Linnæus|Linnæus]], [[10th edition of Systema Naturæ|1758]])
| synonyms = *''Lacerta basiliscus'' <br>{{small|Linnæus, 1758}}
*''Basiliscus americanus'' <br>{{small|[[Josephus Nicolaus Laurenti|Laurenti]], 1768}}
*''Basiliscus basiliscus'' <br>{{small|[[Johann Georg Wagler|Wagler]], 1830}}
*''Basiliscus americanus'' <br>{{small|[[George Albert Boulenger|Boulenger]], 1885}}
*''Basiliscus basiliscus'' <br>{{small|[[Mathias Lang|Lang]], 1989}}
| synonyms_ref =<ref>[http://reptile-database.reptarium.cz/species?genus=Basiliscus&species=basiliscus&search_param=%28%28genus%3D%27Basiliscus%27%2Cexact%29%29 ''Basiliscus basiliscus'']. The Reptile Database. www.reptile-database.org.</ref>
}}
The '''common basilisk''' ('''''Basiliscus basiliscus''''') is a [[species]] of [[lizard]] in the [[Family (biology)|family]] [[Corytophanidae]]. The species is [[Endemism|endemic]] to [[Central America]] and [[South America]], where it is found near rivers and streams in [[rainforests]]. It is also known as the '''Jesus Christ lizard''', '''Jesus lizard''', '''South American Jesus lizard''', or '''{{lang|es|lagarto de Jesus Cristo}}''' for its ability to run on the surface of water.

==Description==
[[File:Basilisk Lizards Fighting edit (cropped).jpeg|left|thumb|330x330px|Males fighting, Costa Rica]]
The common basilisk can be distinguished from similar species within its range by its large size and the high fin-like crest along its back. Most common basilisks are brown and cream in color. Males also have high crests on the head and tail. Both genders are brown to olive, and have a white, cream, or yellow stripe on the upper lip and a second stripe along either side of the body; these stripes have higher contrast in juveniles and fade as the lizards age.

Hatchlings weigh a mere {{convert|2|g|oz}} and are {{convert|38|to|43|mm|in|abbr=on}} long. Adults can grow to a total length (including tail) of 76&nbsp;cm (2.5 feet). Females are generally {{convert|135|to|194|g|oz|abbr=on}}, and weigh half as much as males. The tail comprises 70 to 75% of the total length: for example, a 70-cm-long (27.5-inch-long) common basilisk would have a 50-cm-long (19.5-inch-long) tail. The common basilisk has a large mouth with saw-like teeth on the inner sides of the jaw. While the common basilisk is most known for its ability to run on water, it is also an excellent climber and swimmer, and has been known to stay underwater for up to half an hour. The average lifespan is seven years in captivity; in the wild, it tends to be less because of predators.

When startled, the common basilisk escapes by speeding to the nearest edge of water—and continues sprinting. The lizard runs on only its hind legs in an upright position, holding its forelegs to its sides. The common basilisk is adroit on water because its feet are large and equipped with flaps of skin along the toes that allow it to catch on tiny air bubbles. When moving quickly, the lizard can cross a surface of water before sinking. On water, it runs at an average speed of {{Convert|24.1|km/h|mph|0|abbr=on}}, which is just a little slower than its speed on land. Younger basilisks can run {{convert|10|to|20|m|ft|abbr=on}} on water, while adults cross only a few meters before sinking. Adults do not move slowly, but they weigh more and cannot sprint for as long a time. Once a basilisk submerges, it continues swimming until it is sufficiently far from its pursuer — if the predator has followed past the bank. Although the common basilisk stays close to water to escape terrestrial predators, it swims only when necessary because some other aquatic animals would eat it given the chance.

==Geographic range and habitat==
The common basilisk is found in tropical rainforests throughout Central America and in northwestern South America, usually living in low elevations, from sea level to {{convert|600|m|ft|abbr=on}}. In [[Costa Rica]], this basilisk can be found as high as {{convert|1,200|m|ft|abbr=on}} in some places. The species ranges from southwestern [[Nicaragua]] to northwestern [[Colombia]] on the Pacific side, and from central [[Panama]] to northwestern [[Venezuela]] on the Atlantic side.  In Costa Rica, it is mostly found on the Pacific side of the country. The equivalent species on the Atlantic side is the green basilisk (''[[Basiliscus plumifrons]]''), which occupies similar habitats and has similar biology.<ref name="Sprackland"/><!-- It has been introduced to [[Florida]] as a [[feral]] species.<ref name="conant">{{cite book|last=Conant|first=Roger|last2=Collins|first2=Joseph|author-link=Roger Conant (herpetologist)|title=A Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians Eastern/Central North America|publisher=Houghton Mifflin Company|year=1991|location=[[Boston, Massachusetts]]|isbn=0-395-58389-6}}</ref> (According to Powell Conant Collins 2016, ''B. vittatus'' is the introduced species in Florida, not ''B. basiliscus''.)--> It has also recently been found in South Florida.

==Diet==
''B. basiliscus'' is an [[omnivore]]; its diet consists of [[insect]]s, for example, beetles or dragon flies; flowers, and small vertebrates such as [[snake]]s, [[bird]]s, [[Egg (biology)|eggs]], and [[fish]].<ref name="Sprackland"/>

==Predators==
The common basilisk has numerous natural predators; large reptiles, birds, and some mammals. To avoid predators, it can conceal itself under leaves on the [[forest floor]] and can remain motionless for a long time. When the common basilisk must flee, though, its skill of running on water can help it avoid many predators, and when the common basilisk can no longer run on the water, it will use its strong swimming capabilities to continue underwater.

==Reproduction==
Females of ''B. basiliscus'' lay three to four clutches of 10–20 [[egg (biology)|eggs]] a year.<ref name="Sprackland"/> Eggs hatch after about three months and the young weigh about two grams and are up to three inches long. Their outstanding camouflage allows them to remain undetected when they remain still.

==Walking on water==
[[File:Basiliscus basiliscus running on water - pone.0037300.s001.ogv|thumb|Running on water]]
The common basilisk, along with the other members of its genus, take the nickname the "[[Jesus Christ]] lizard" or "Jesus lizard" because when fleeing from predators, they gather sufficient momentum to run across the water for a brief distance while holding most of their body out of the water (similar to the [[Jesus walking on water|biblical story of Jesus walking on water]]).<ref name="Sprackland"/> Basilisks have large hind feet with scaly fringes on the sides of the third, fourth, and fifth toes. These are compressed against the toes when this lizard walks on land, but if it senses danger, it can jump into the water, opening up these fringes against the water's surface. This increases the surface area of the foot, thus allowing it to run on the water for short distances.<ref name="Sprackland"/> This occurs in three steps. First is the slap, the downward movement of the foot that pushes water out and away from the leg. This also created pockets of air around the foot. Next is the stroke, the backwards movement of the foot, which propels it forward. Next is the recovery, when the foot comes up and out of the water and prepares to do the slap again. Smaller basilisks can run about {{Convert|10–20|m|ft|abbr=on}} without sinking.{{citation needed |reason='Basiliscus (genus)' article states 'On water, the basilisk can run at a velocity of 1.5 meters (4.9 feet) per second for approximately 4.5 meters (15 feet) before sinking on all fours and swimming' (also without citation). |date=June 2016}} Juveniles can usually run further than older basilisks, while holding more of their body above the water.

==Taxonomy and etymology==
The common basilisk is named for the creature of [[Greek mythology]] made up of parts of a [[rooster]], [[snake]], and lion which could turn a man to stone by its gaze: the [[basilisk]].<ref name="Sprackland">{{cite book|author=Sprackland, Robert George|title=Giant lizards|publisher=T.F.H. Publications. 288 pp|location=Neptune, New Jersey|year=1992|isbn=0-86622-634-6}}</ref> Its [[genus|generic]], [[species|specific]], and common names all derive from the [[Greek language|Greek]] ''basilískos'' (βασιλίσκος), meaning 'little king'. The [[Specific name (zoology)|specific epithet]] was given in [[Carl Linnæus]]' [[10th edition of Systema Naturæ|10th edition]] of ''[[Systema Naturæ]]''.<ref name="Sprackland"/>

==References==
{{Wikispecies|Basiliscus basiliscus}}
{{Commons category|Basiliscus basiliscus}}
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
*[[George Albert Boulenger|Boulenger GA]] (1885). ''Catalogue of the Lizards in the British Museum (Natural History). Second Edition. Volume II. Iguanidæ ...'' London: Trustees of the British Museum (Natural History). (Taylor and Francis, printers). xiii + 497 pp. + Plates I-XXIV. (''Basiliscus americanus'', p.&nbsp;108).
*Lang, Mathias (1989). "Phylogenetic and Geographic Patterns of Basiliscine Iguanians (Reptilia: Squamata: “Iguanidæ”)". ''Bonner Zoologische Monographien'' (28): 1-172. (''Basiliscus basiliscus'', pp.&nbsp;125–129).
*[[Carl Linnæus|Linnæus C]] (1758). ''Systema naturæ per regna tria naturæ, secundum classes, ordines, genera, species, cum characteribus, differentiis, synonymis, locis. Tomus I. Editio Decima, Reformata.'' Stockholm: L. Salvius. 824 pp. (''Lacerta basiliscus'', new species, p.&nbsp;206). (in Latin).

==External links==
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=45yabrnryXk ''National Geographic'': Video of basilisk lizard running on water]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20100207174522/http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/reptiles/green-basilisk-lizard/ ''National Geographic'': Green Basilisk Lizard]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20060127194900/http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2004/11/1116_041116_jesus_lizard_2.html ''National Geographic'': How 'Jesus Lizards' Walk on Water]

{{Taxonbar|from=Q651273}}

[[Category:Basiliscus]]
[[Category:Lizards of Central America]]
[[Category:Lizards of South America]]
[[Category:Reptiles of Colombia]]
[[Category:Reptiles of Costa Rica]]
[[Category:Reptiles of Guatemala]]
[[Category:Reptiles of Nicaragua]]
[[Category:Reptiles of Panama]]
[[Category:Articles containing video clips]]
[[Category:Reptiles described in 1758]]
[[Category:Taxa named by Carl Linnaeus]]