Description
The Common Basilisk can be distinguished from similar species within its range by its large size and the high finlike crests down its back. Males also have high crests on the head and tail. Both sexes are brown to olive, and have a white, cream or yellow stripe on the upper lip and a second stripe along either side of its body; these stripes have higher contrast in juveniles and fade as the lizards age. Hatchlings weigh a mere 2 g and are 37 to 43 mm long. Adults can grow up to two and a half feet long. Females are generally 135 to 194 and weigh half as much as males. The tails of these lizards comprise 70 to 75% of their total length: for example, on an 800 mm (or 31.5 in) long lizard, 600 mm of its length is tail.
The common basilisk has a large mouth with saw-like teeth that are on the inner sides of the jaw. They have been known to run up to 7 mph (11 km/h). While the basilisk is most known for its ability to run on water, they are also excellent climbers and swimmers; the basilisk has been known to stay underwater for up to half an hour. The average lifespan is 7 years in captivity; in the wild it tends to be less because of predators.
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