Basilisk Lizard

🦎 All About the Basilisk Lizard
The lizard that can run on water! 💨💧🦎

📖 Quick Overview

🌟 What Is a Basilisk Lizard?

The Basilisk Lizard, also called the “Jesus Christ Lizard,” is famous for its ability to run across water!

It looks like a mini dinosaur with long toes and a crown-like crest.

They have:

• A long slender body with a big tail
• Toes with skin flaps to slap water as they run
• Bright green or brown coloring to blend into leaves
• A cool fin or crest on their head or back

📍 Where Do Basilisk Lizards Live?

They love warm, wet places like jungles and riversides.

🌿 Habitat:

• Tropical rainforests
• Streams and rivers with lots of trees
• Low branches over water to escape predators

They’re amazing climbers and swimmers too!

🍽️ What Do Basilisk Lizards Eat?

Basilisks are omnivores, meaning they eat both plants and animals.

🍴 Favorite foods include:

• Insects like grasshoppers and ants
• Small fish or frogs
• Flowers and leaves
• Berries and fruit

They use their sharp eyes and quick reflexes to snatch food fast!

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family and Groups

They’re often found alone but may live near others in a lounge.

👶 Baby Basilisk = Hatchling

• Born from eggs in buried nests
• Can run and climb just hours after hatching
• Babies are tiny but fast, making them hard to catch!

💪 Brilliant Basilisk Powers

• Run on water for up to 15 feet at a time!
• Hold their breath underwater for up to 30 minutes
• Can climb trees and leap to escape danger
• Run up to 5 feet per second using their back legs
• Camouflage to hide in leaves and bushes

💡 Fun Facts About Basilisk Lizards

• Their nickname is the “Jesus Lizard” because of their water-walking trick
• Only young and light lizards can run far on water
• Their toes create air pockets to keep them from sinking
• Some species have sail-like crests on their backs
• They don’t need to blink—they have see-through eyelids!

🛑 Are Basilisk Lizards in Danger?

Not currently endangered, but they do face threats like:

• Habitat loss from deforestation
• Predators like birds, snakes, and humans
• Changes to climate and water levels

💚 How Can We Help?

• Protect rainforests where they live
• Learn about tropical wildlife and ecosystems
• Support groups that work to preserve jungles and rivers

✏️ Activity: Create a Water-Walking Lizard Art!

🎨 Use blue paper for water and green for trees. Draw or cut out:

• A basilisk mid-run across a stream
• Big feet splashing as it dashes
• A jungle background full of leaves and vines

✅ Summary