Real Basilisks Found In Nature
The basilisk is not just a symbol of fear in fiction; it’s also an actual family of lizards, found within the every day world. In nature, there exist four kinds of basilisk lizards, and are often referred to as “The Jesus Christ Lizard” because of their ability to walk, or run on water. The speed of which is one and a half meters per second. There are four different species in what’s scientifically called the “Basiliscus” genus, in the Corytophanidae family.
There are the Common basilisk; Basiliscus basiliscus, Red-headed basilisk; Basiliscus galeritus, Plumed basilisk; Basiliscus plumifrons, and the Striped or Brown Basilisk; Basiliscus vittatus. This species primarily lives in South America, however, they have recently been introduced to Florida, and some have even worked their way slowly up the East Coast of the United States. The burrow into the dead leaves to keep warm during the winter.
The common basilisk does look like its mythological counterpart; its head is adorned with a crest, and then separate fanning running down its back, and tail. However, the lizard itself is very small, and non-venomous. Most common basilisks only grow to be just under a foot long, but some have grown to almost thirty-six inches in length. The red-headed basilisk is not often kept in captivity, although some people do keep them as pets. The head is also adorned with a similar crest, but unlike the common basilisk, they do not have a fan on their backs and tails. They are mainly found along the Pacific Coast, in Columbia and Ecuador. Also, the Western, or red-headed basilisk do not tolerate other males so well; if you plan to keep them as pets, it’s better to keep a couple (male and female). If you plan to allow breeding, don’t let the offspring around the adults; they’ll eat them.
The plumed basilisk is most popular as a pet because of its bright color, and easy nature. The males are more likely not to kill each other, and the females get along; but they’ll still eat their young. A plumed basilisk can live up to eight years, and some as long as ten. Also, they’re very deep in green color; they may have a bluish tint however, if bred in captivity. The plumed basilisk is named so for the bright green crests along his head, back and tail. The brown, or striped basilisk can be found in Mexico, or Northern Columbia; they have a very small and more rounded crest on their heads, and the one on their backs is little more than fringe. The females have no head crest; males cannot be kept together, and females can tolerate one male “sometimes.”