Green Basilisk Care Sheet

The green basilisk is a long and thin lizard from tropical Central America. It is generally green or green/blue with dark stripes towards the back of the tail and top of the abdomen. Males of the species are generally larger and have large plumes on the head, running along the spine and down the tail.

The green basilisk will spend most of its time in trees above or around bodies of water. When threatened it can rear up on two legs using its tail to remain stable and run extremely quickly. The basilisk can also dive into water to attempt to avoid predators. One of the most interesting aspects of this lizard is that it has hydrophobic scales on the underside of its feet which allow it to run for short times over water. This is how the lizard gained its nickname, the 'Jesus Christ' lizard.