Wildlifeof Costa Rica
Plumed Basilisk
Basilisks & Casquehead Lizards
Photo: Marcel Burkhard/ Cele4, www.tierlexikon.ch · CC BY-SA 3.0
Basiliscus plumifrons
Basic stats
Diet
Omnivorous (ReptTraits)
Habitat
Hot, humid lowland rainforest beside streams, rivers and other water; arboreal and semi-aquatic, found on boulders and in trees near water
Range
Atlantic versant from eastern Honduras to western Panama; also reported on the Pacific coast of south-western Costa Rica
Size
Snout–vent length about 25cm; up to about 90cm including the tail
Weight
Maximum about 550g (ReptTraits)
The plumed basilisk is the largest basilisk. Adults are brilliant green with bright yellow eyes, small bluish spots along the dorsal ridge and black and white streaks on the neck and back. Males have three crests, on the head, back and tail, while females have only a head crest. Juveniles are duller and have no crests (Wikipedia, general species account).
It is diurnal and found in large numbers on trees and on boulders by rivers, streams, ponds and lakes, and also on beaches. When it flees a predator it can run across the surface of water, keeping up speed so that it does not sink, which is why basilisks are nicknamed 'Jesus Christ lizards'. Males are very territorial. Of the three Basiliscus species in Costa Rica, each is found commonly on both the Atlantic and Pacific sides (Wikipedia, general species account; ReptTraits, Oskyrko et al. 2024).
On this guide it is a target species of Tortuguero, Cahuita and Cano Negro.
Quick answers
- What does the Plumed Basilisk eat?
- Omnivorous (ReptTraits)
- What habitat does the Plumed Basilisk live in?
- Hot, humid lowland rainforest beside streams, rivers and other water; arboreal and semi-aquatic, found on boulders and in trees near water
- Where is the Plumed Basilisk found?
- Atlantic versant from eastern Honduras to western Panama; also reported on the Pacific coast of south-western Costa Rica
- How big is the Plumed Basilisk?
- Snout–vent length about 25cm; up to about 90cm including the tail
- How much does the Plumed Basilisk weigh?
- Maximum about 550g (ReptTraits)