Helmeted basilisk (basiliscus basiliscus). Helmeted basilisk: characteristics of the lizard Origin and habitats in nature

Why zoologists named this harmless lizard in honor of the evil Basilisk, no one knows, but in nature it exists, as it does official name individuals - helmet-bearing (helmet-like crest, do you see on the head?) Basilisk. The habitat is exclusively the territory of Central America, therefore, in order to observe Basilisks, of which there are 4 species, you will have to cross the ocean.

If we talk about characteristic features Basilisk, then the tail is much longer than body, approximately 2/3 of 80 cm, is the length of the lizard. The body and tail are flattened on the sides, something like a “thickened knife blade” and a sharp ridge along the entire back. In general, scale up for thrillers and shoot live “dinosaurs” without resorting to layouts or imagination. A scary lizard, you see for yourself. But at the same time, it is a herbivore and vegetarian, and therefore harmless to other inhabitants of Central America.

Based on the correct answer, the places where the Basilisk lives are trees growing near rivers, and danger forces it to run on water, sensing which, the lizard first begins to menacingly rotate its head, and then rushes away through the water.

P.S. The question remains open: when I read about Basilisks, I didn’t understand why it was prescribed by nature to have 100 teeth when it feeds on grass...

- genus of basilisks (Basiliscus plumifrons) noticeably different in its appearance from other iguanas, they have a peculiar skin decoration, which gives them an unearthly, and even fairy-tale appearance.

Helmeted Basilisk has a bright green color, which makes them invisible among bushes and trees. Male helmeted basilisks are happy large lizards, on the back of their head there is a skin outgrowth that more closely resembles a large flat helmet, 4 cm high. A high ridge also runs along their back and paddle-shaped tail, which is covered with spinous and highly developed vertebral processes. Males and females of this species have a scaly border on the surface of the toes of the hind limbs. Surprisingly, these lizards have the ability to hold on and at the same time run very quickly on the surface of the water.

In the helmeted basilisk, compared to other species of this genus, the body length can reach from 50 to 80 cm, while they become heavier and can no longer stay on the surface of the water. They are also very good divers and excellent swimmers. On land, they are able to run across and also fly over long distances, pushing off only with their hind limbs.

The basilisk was nicknamed the “dragon” because it is very similar to a small copy of a dragon, and unique ability run on water, some call them (Jesus Christ lizards). Helmeted basilisks feed mainly on live insects. Central America is inhabited by 4 known species Basilisks. They live in woody, overgrown areas, or settle along the banks of tropical rivers.

The helmeted basilisk (Basiliscus plumifrons) is one of the most unusual lizards that can be kept in captivity. Bright green in color, with a large crest and unusual behavior, it resembles a miniature dinosaur.

But, at the same time, the helmeted basilisk needs a fairly spacious terrarium, and it is nervous and completely tame. Although this reptile is not for everyone, with good care it can live quite a long time, longer than 10 years.

Habitat in nature

Habitat four existing types Basilisks are located on the territory of the Central and South America, from Mexico to the coast of Ecuador. The helmeted one lives in Nicaragua, Panama and Ecuador.

They live along rivers and other water basins, in places abundantly heated by the sun. Typical places are thickets of trees, dense reeds and other thickets of plants. In case of danger, they jump from branches into the water.

https://youtu.be/gq9f4hI4wwI

Helmeted basilisks are very fast, they run superbly and can reach speeds of up to 12 km/h, and can also dive under water in times of danger. They are quite common and do not have any special conservation status.

The average size of a basilisk is 30 cm, but larger specimens are also found, up to 70 cm. Life expectancy is about 10 years.
Like other types of basilisks, helmeted ones can run on the surface of the water for considerable distances (400 meters) before plunging into it and swimming. For this feature they are even called “Jesus lizard”, alluding to Jesus, who walked on water. They can also stay underwater for about 30 minutes to wait out danger.
Two-thirds of the basilisk is the tail, and the crest on the head serves to attract the attention of the female and for protection.

Basilisk runs in the water:

In nature, helmet-bearing basilisks, at the slightest danger or fear, take off and run away at full speed, or jump from branches into the water. In a terrarium, they can crash into glass, which is invisible to them.

So good idea keep them in a terrarium with opaque glass, or cover the glass with paper. Especially if the lizard is young or caught in the wild. A terrarium measuring 130x60x70 cm is sufficient for only one individual; if you plan to keep more, then choose a more spacious one.

Since they live in trees, there should be branches and snags inside the terrarium that the basilisk can climb. Live plants are also good, as they shelter and camouflage the lizard, and help maintain air humidity.

Suitable plants are ficus, dracaena. It is better to plant them so that they create a shelter where the timid basilisk will be comfortable.

Males cannot tolerate each other, and only basilisks of different sexes can be kept together.

In nature:

Substrate

Acceptable various types soils: mulch, moss, reptile mixtures, rugs. The main requirement is that they retain moisture and do not rot, and are easy to clean. The soil layer is 5-7 cm, usually this is enough for plants and to maintain air humidity.

Sometimes, basilisks begin to eat the substrate, if you notice this, then replace it with something completely inedible. For example, a reptile mat or paper.

Lighting

The terrarium needs to be illuminated using UV lamps 10-12 hours a day. UV spectrum and length daylight hours are critical for reptiles as they help them absorb calcium and produce vitamin D3. If the helmeted basilisk does not receive the required amount of UV rays, it may develop metabolic disorders.

Note that the lamps must be changed according to the instructions, even if they do not fail. Moreover, these should be special lamps for reptiles, and not for fish or plants.
All reptiles should have a clear separation between day and night, so lights should be turned off at night.

Heating

Native to Central America, basilisks nevertheless carry quite a bit of low temperatures, especially at night. During the day, there should be a heating point in the terrarium, with a temperature of 32 degrees, and a cooler part, with a temperature of 24-25 degrees.

At night the temperature can be around 20 degrees. For heating, you can use a combination of lamps and other heating devices, such as heated stones. Be sure to use two thermometers, one in a cool corner and one in a warm corner.

Water and humidity

In nature, helmeted basilisks live in quite humid climate. In the terrarium, the humidity should be 60-70% or slightly higher. To maintain it, the terrarium is sprayed with water daily, monitoring the humidity using a hydrometer. However, too high humidity is also bad, as it promotes the development of fungal infections in lizards.

Basilisks love water and are excellent dives and swimmers. Constant access to water, a large body of water where they can splash, is important for them. It could be a container, or a special waterfall for reptiles, that’s not the point. The main thing is that the water is easily accessible and changed daily.

Feeding

Helmeted basilisks eat a variety of insects: crickets, zoophobus, mealworms, grasshoppers, cockroaches.

Some eat naked mice, but these should only be given occasionally. They also eat plant foods: cabbage, dandelions, lettuce and others.

They need to be cut first. Adult basilisks need to be fed plant foods 6-7 times a week, or insects 3-4 times. Young, twice a day and insects. The food should be sprinkled with reptile supplements containing calcium and vitamins.

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Helmet-bearing basilisk (lat. Basiliscus basiliscus) is one of the most amazing lizards from the family Corytophanidae. The basilisk runs through the water, staying on its surface by rapidly alternating strikes of the hind limbs. For such wonderful art, he is often called “Christ’s lizard.”

Not everyone is given the talent by nature to run across the surface of the water up to 400 m, while developing a speed of up to 12 km/h. Main secret this art consists in special structure hind legs. The lizard's toes are very long, and on their outer side there are special membranes made of modified scales.

At rest, they look like a fringe growing abundantly around the toes, and while running on water they straighten out, increasing the supporting surface of the feet.

Distribution and behavior

Helmeted basilisks live in Central America. These lizards prefer to live in damp tropical forests, growing in Nicaragua, Panama and Costa Rica. Here all year round It's stiflingly hot. Daytime temperatures range from 25°C to 30°C, and air humidity rarely drops below 60% and increases greatly during the rainy season.

Being an arboreal lizard, the basilisk spends most of its time in the crowns of trees growing along the banks of fresh water bodies.

He leads a daily lifestyle, and at night he sleeps peacefully, lying on a convenient branch. At dawn it gets out to sunny place and, having warmed up well, goes in search of food.

The basilisk feeds on a variety of insects and invertebrates. His hunting trophies Sometimes there are small chicks and small fish. He snatches fish out of the water with amazing dexterity. Adult lizards diversify their menu with ripe fruits.

This reptile has a great many enemies, so its character is, to put it mildly, timid. He flees at the slightest threat, quickly jumping from branch to branch. The helmeted basilisk runs on water not because of religious ecstasy, but solely from toothy predators and voracious birds. To escape from birds, he often jumps into the water from tree branches.

Having stunned the adversary with its sprinting jerk, the basilisk hides in the abyss of the water and quickly swims away. This increased alertness helps him survive in the nightmarish conditions of the jungle. True, despite their outstanding abilities, the majority of basilisks do not live up to two years, becoming prey to their ubiquitous enemies.

When it comes to defending its possessions from competitors, the helmet-bearing basilisk turns from a despicable coward into a brave warrior.

Two males are capable of thrashing and biting each other for a long time, until the weakest leaves the home territory, and the winner gets the harem of females living on it. The male declares his rights to the territory with the help of ritual nods of his head. The area of the home plot can be from 500 to 1000 square meters.

Reproduction

The mating season begins with the arrival of the rainy season. At this time, air humidity rises to 80% and after the drought, the desired coolness sets in. In the third week of pregnancy, the female looks for a secluded place to lay eggs. To do this, she descends from the tree to the ground.

The female methodically presses her muzzle to the soil in search of the most favorable temperature and soil moisture for incubating eggs. Having found a suitable place, she lays 15-17 eggs, 2.1 to 2.4 cm long and 1.2 to 1.5 cm wide, burying them in the sand. During one season, each female is able to lay several clutches.

Incubation lasts 8-10 weeks, after which small lizards approximately 11 cm long are born.

They pierce the shell with a special egg tooth, which later falls out. The first days of their lives, the cubs do not hunt, feeding exclusively on the contents of yolk sacs. When food supplies run out, they go on the first hunt in their lives.

They grow quickly and already at the age of 5 months the males begin to fight among themselves for a place in the sun. Lizards become sexually mature only at 18-24 months of age.

Description

The body length of an adult reptile is 60-80 cm, of which up to 50 cm is the tail. Body weight ranges from 250-500 g. The body is completely covered with small scales and has a bright green or bluish-green color. The tail has alternating yellow and brown stripes, and there are large light specks on the sides.

The head of the basilisk is decorated with a small skin outgrowth resembling a two-bladed helmet. The head itself is small, with a wide mouth. Eyes with bright orange irises are set on the sides of the head. Males have a high crest along the ridge. A low ridge also extends along the upper side of the long tail.

The short forelimbs are armed with long claws. The muscular hind limbs are much larger than the front ones. All five toes of the hind legs are equipped with scaly membranes.

The life expectancy of the helmeted basilisk in captivity is longer than in natural conditions. Many individuals live up to 5-6 years.

Helmeted basilisk (lat. Basiliscus basiliscus) is an arboreal lizard that lives in the tropical rainforests of Guatemala, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Colombia and Panama. Prefers to stay in thickets along river banks.

Adult lizards reach a length of up to 60-80 cm. The basilisk's tail makes up almost two-thirds of the length of its body. They are excellent swimmers, able to stay underwater for up to half an hour. They also run well and quickly, sometimes reaching ground speeds of up to 11 km/h. Possesses, keeping its body on the surface by rapidly alternating strikes of the hind legs.

The helmeted basilisk got its name because of its bright green color and distinctive crest starting on the head and ending on the tail. The crest on the head of males is larger than that of females.

“It was a basilisk - green as lettuce, with bright eyes, a male about 14 inches in length ... having lost his balance, he fell like a stone into the black river, immediately plunged into the water, but in a moment he found himself on the surface and ran across the water. carried in front of him, his tail bent upward, and his hind legs thrashed the surface of the water with the speed of a machine gun. The speed of the splash was so significant that the lizard did not drown. Before we had time to figure out how he was doing it, the basilisk reached the land, climbed onto the shore and darted away. through the branches..." wrote Archie Carr, an American zoologist.

Helmeted basilisks are omnivores, feeding on greenery covered with dark leaves, a small amount vegetables, insects (earthworms, crickets, mealworm larvae), snails, small frogs.

Mating in basilisks can last up to 20 minutes. Pregnant females become fat after 2-3 weeks, at the same time they begin to look for a place to lay eggs.