Stats

Lifespan

7-10 yrs

Size

Large

Diet

Omnivore

Activity

Diurnal

Social

Solitary

Biome

Tropical rainforest

Range

Central and South America

Movement

Running

Breeding

Egg-laying

Defense

Speed

Status

Uncommon

About

A vivid green lizard from Central American rainforests, nicknamed the 'Jesus Christ lizard' for its remarkable ability to sprint across water on its hind legs — reaching speeds of 1.5 m/s and covering up to 4.5 metres before sinking.

Life cycle

1. 1.
   hatchling

   A miniature reptile emerges from its egg already independent.
2. 2.
   juvenile

   A juvenile sheds and grows, often duller-colored than adults.
3. 3.
   adult

   Fully grown with adult size and coloration.

Learn more

• View on iNaturalist →
• Watch on YouTube →

Taxonomy

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

Chordata

Class

Reptilia

Order

Squamata

Family

Corytophanidae

Genus

Basiliscus

Species

Basiliscus basiliscus