Brown Basilisk Care Sheet

Scientific Name

Basiliscus vittatus

Size

60-80cm (24-32 inches)

Lifespan

8 years

Natural Distribution

Central America

Brown Basilisks love to eat brown crickets. In the wild they regularly feed on these insects.

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We believe Reptisun bulbs are the best UVB tubes around. Perfect for basking animals like Brown Basilisks.

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Brown Basilisks also enjoy the occasional locust. They love chasing this bouncing snack.


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We always suggest sprinkling Nutrobal on your Basilisks's food to ensure they're getting the right balance of vitamins and minerals.

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We advise using wooden vivariums rather than glass as they retain heat more efficiently keeping your pet nice and warm. As Brown Basilisks can grow to adult size within a year or two it is advised to buy an adult vivarium from day one. We would recommend a vivarium of 120x60x90cm (48"x24"x36"). This will ensure your Brown Basilisk has enough room to explore and run around. It also has plenty of room for climbing which they enjoy.

Beech woodchip is a good substrate as the Brown Basilisks generally do not swallow it whilst feeding on live insects. Bark chippings are also a good substrate as they are great at absorbing any splashes of water. Sands, such as calcisands can be ingested easily, building up inside the animal potentially causing health problems and distress to your pet. Brown Basilisks can be shy but will be out basking during the day. Wood, rocks and artificial plants should be used to create a basking area as well as areas to climb and lounge around.

Night time heating is provided by a ceramic bulb one end of the vivarium controlled by a thermostat, about 80oF is fine. The cermacic bulb should be installed using a ceramic bulb holder and covered with a ceramic heater guard to prevent the Basilisks from getting burnt. During the day two spot bulbs are used to raise the temperature to about 100oF. These should be at the same end of the vivarium as the ceramic heater to create a hot end and a cooler end. The spot bulbs will also provide a day and night cycle. Temperatures should always be checked by a reliable thermometer.

Day light is provided by the spot bulbs used to raise the day temperate. All day time basking lizards require additional UVB lighting. This must be at least 10% UVB. Basilisks required UVB light in order to synthesise vitamin D. Without vitamin D (in particular D3) Basilisks are not able to metabolise calcium properly causing problems with bone growth. This can lead to serious disease problems such as metabolic bone disease, which kills many Basilisks. The UVB light should be turned on and off with the spot bulbs and placed no further than 30cm (12 inches) from the animals. The UVB tube should be replaced every 6 months, as the UVB output is not effective after that time. Ensure you get the right size starter unit for your UV.

Basilisks are carnivorous meaning they eat live food. Crickets are particularly nutritious, locusts, mealworms and wax worms can also be used to supplement their diet and add variety. Your pet deserves the best foods possible so look after your live foods. Keep your crickets and locusts fresh, plump and full of vitamins by feeding them with Bug Grub and fresh vegetation. Remember, your Basilisk also eats whatever is in your live food's stomach. Also, don't allow your live food to dehydrate, you don't want to give your animals dried up half dead insects for dinner! Hydrate them with Bug Gel to keep them alive longer and mouth wateringly juicy. Care for your live food in their own enclosure, such as a Cricket Keeper. Live foods should be coated in a vitamin and mineral supplement such as Nutrobal to ensure the Basilisk is getting the best nutrition possible.

Brown Basilisks love to be in and around water. This can be achieved by using a large, deep water bowl. Or, you could incorporate a filtered aquarium into the vivarium. Brown Basilisks also require a humid environment, it is therefore important to mist the vivarium one daily using a water sprayer.

Basilisks are not really that keen on being handled. If you do attempt to handle them and they become aggitated, carefully put them back into their vivarium.

Males do not get on with each other as adults and will fight so only keep one per enclosure. Males can be kept with a harem of females providing the vivarium is large enough to accommodate them. Females are ok to be kept as a colony.

Maintenance

Regular spot cleaning of the vivarium should be performed to keep it hygienic for both the animal and the keeper. Dead live foods and the Basilisk's faeces should be removed when noticed. Change the substrate once a month or as required and clean the vivarium with a reptile disinfectant.

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