• Source: Basiliscus (lizard)

Basiliscus is a genus of large corytophanid lizards, commonly known as basilisks, which are endemic to southern Mexico, Central America, and northern South America. The genus contains four species, which are commonly known as the Jesus Christ lizard, or simply the Jesus lizard, due to their ability to run across water for significant distances before sinking due to the large surface area of their feet.




Taxonomy and etymology


Both the generic name, Basiliscus, and the common name, "basilisk", derive from the Greek basilískos (βασιλίσκος) meaning "little king". The specific epithet, vittatus, which is Latin for "striped", was given in Carl Linnæus' 10th edition of Systema Naturæ.




Description


Basilisks on average measure 70 to 75 cm (28 to 30 in) in total length (including tail). Their growth is perpetual, fast when they are young and nonlinear for mature basilisks. Their skin is shed in pieces.
Basilisks are oviparous and lay 8–18 eggs.




Running on water


Basilisks sometimes run bipedally. Basilisks have the ability to "run" on water, and because of this, they have been dubbed the "Jesus Christ lizard" in reference to the biblical passage of Jesus walking on water. On water, basilisks can run at a velocity of 1.5 meters (4.9 feet) per second for approximately 4.5 meters (15 feet) before sinking on all fours and swimming. Flaps between their toes help support basilisks, creating a larger surface and pockets of air, giving them the ability to run across water.
A similar behavior, running bipedally across water, is known from the sailfin lizards and a few species of anole lizards.




Other defense mechanisms


Basilisks can burrow into sand to hide from predators; a ring of muscles around both nostrils prevents sand from entering the nose.




Habitat and geographic range


Basilisks are abundant in the tropical rain forests of Central and South America, from southern Mexico to Ecuador and Venezuela.




Invasive species


The species Basiliscus vittatus (brown basilisk) has been introduced to Florida. It has adapted to the colder winters by burrowing into leaf litter for warmth. Current reports sight the brown basilisk as far north as Fort Pierce, on the state's East Coast, where small groups have crept up the North Fork of the Saint Lucie River. Mainly it has been seen in Boca Raton and other cities in Palm Beach County. as seen in this photo taken in West Palm Beach, Florida.




Classification


Genus Basiliscus has four extant species:




References






External links


Jesus Lizard Robot An attempt at building a robotic version of the Jesus Lizard
How "Jesus Lizards" Walk on Water
Jesus Lizards Walk on Water Video




Further reading


Boulenger GA (1885). Catalogue of the Lizards in the British Museum (Natural History). Second Edition. Volume II. Iguanidæ .... London: Trustees of the British Museum (Natural History). (Taylor and Francis, printers). xiii + 497 pp. + Plates I–XXIV. (Genus Basiliscus, pp. 106–107).
Laurenti JN (1768). Specimen medicum, exhibens synopsin reptilium emendatam cum experimentis circa venena et antidota reptilium austriacorum. Vienna: Joan. Thom. Nob. de Trattnern. 214 pp. + Plates I–V. (Basiliscus, new genus, p. 50). (in Latin).

Kata Kunci Pencarian:

• Kadal
• Basiliscus (lizard)
• Common basilisk
• Plumed basilisk
• Basiliscus (disambiguation)
• Brown basilisk
• List of largest extant lizards
• Western basilisk
• List of lizards of Colombia
• Corytophanidae
• Basilisk (disambiguation)