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Brown Basilisk

Brown Basilisk lizard pet trade Florida

Basiliscus vittatus                                                   Photo Olivier Haligon ©


Native to Costa Rica, Panama, Belize and Columbia, the Brown Basilisk is common in the pet trade and has now become established in the wild in South Florida. These alert, active lizards are quite common along canal banks in Dade county and southern Broward county, as well as in suburban areas and agricultural fields.

Brown Basilisk lizard

                                                                             Photo Olivier Haligon ©


Basilisks are agile lizards that climb well and run extremely fast, often on their hind legs. They are accomplished swimmers and frequently take to the water when threatened, where their habit of running across the water on their hind legs has earned them the name the ‘Jesus Christ Lizard’.

Adult male Brown basilisks can grow to 2 feet in length (61 cms), and have a large prominent crest on the back of their heads.

 

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