Striped basilisk, Common basilisk
The brown basilisk (Basiliscus vittatus ), also commonly referred to as the striped basilisk or in some areas as the common basilisk, is a species of basilisk lizard in the family Corytophanidae. The species is native to Mexico, Central America and adjacent northwestern Colombia, and has been introduced into the U.S. state of Florida as a feral species. The brown basilisk has large hind feet with narrow flaps of skin on the distal edge of each toe. The fact that they move quickly across the water gives them the appearance of "walking on water".
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DiurnalDiurnal animals are active during the daytime, with a period of sleeping or other inactivity at night. The timing of activity by an animal depends ...
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CarnivoreA carnivore meaning 'meat eater' is an organism that derives its energy and nutrient requirements from a diet consisting mainly or exclusively of a...
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InsectivoresAn insectivore is a carnivorous plant or animal that eats insects. An alternative term is entomophage, which also refers to the human practice of e...
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ArborealArboreal locomotion is the locomotion of animals in trees. In habitats in which trees are present, animals have evolved to move in them. Some anima...
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PredatorPredators are animals that kill and eat other organisms, their prey. Predators may actively search for or pursue prey or wait for it, often conceal...
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PrecocialPrecocial species are those in which the young are relatively mature and mobile from the moment of birth or hatching. Precocial species are normall...
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TerrestrialTerrestrial animals are animals that live predominantly or entirely on land (e.g., cats, ants, snails), as compared with aquatic animals, which liv...
Oviparous animals are female animals that lay their eggs, with little or no other embryonic development within the mother. This is the reproductive...
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SolitaryNo
Not a migrantAnimals that do not make seasonal movements and stay in their native home ranges all year round are called not migrants or residents.
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starts withThe Brown basilisk is a species of basilisk lizard native to the Americas. It has a three-part dorsal crest on the head, along the back, and along the tail. Coloration is brown or olive-brown with black crossbands. The crossbands are usually only on the flanks and on the dorsal crest. There is also a white stripe, which extends from the eyes to the rear legs. The male has a larger crest than the female. Brown basilisks have large hind feet with narrow flaps of skin on the distal edge of each toe. The fact that they move quickly across the water gives them the appearance of "walking on water".
Brown basilisks are found in Mexico, Central America, and adjacent northwestern Colombia. They live in tropical dry and moist forests preferring areas with dense vegetation near the bodies of water.
Brown basilisks are solitary lizards. They are active during the day and their outstanding camouflage allows them to remain motionless and very hard to detect. Most of their time is spent in bushes and the lower branches of trees or thickets but they may climb down to the ground as well. If Brown basilisks face danger, they start to run very fast on the surface of a river or a lake. Smaller Brown basilisks can run about 10-20 m (33-66 ft) on the water without sinking. Young individuals can usually run farther than older ones. Basilisks are not only excellent water runners but also swim well.
Brown basilisks are carnivores (insectivores) and feed mainly on various insects.
Female Brown basilisks lay about 2-18 eggs, five to eight times a year. Eggs hatch after about 3 months and the babies weigh about 2 g (0.071 oz). The young are independent from the moment they were born and don't require parental care.
The Brown basilisk doesn't face any known threats ap resent.
According to IUCN, the Brown basilisk is common throughout its range but no overall population estimate is available. Currently, this species is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List and its numbers today are stable.