Common basilisk
| Common Basilisk | |
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| Male near Manuel Antonio National Park, Costa Rica | |
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| Species: | B. basiliscus
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| Binomial name | |
| Basiliscus basiliscus (Linnaeus, 1758)
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The common basilisk (Basiliscus basiliscus) is a type of lizard. It can be found in Central and South American rainforests near rivers and streams. The basilisk is part of the corytophanid family. It is also known as the Jesus Christ lizard because of its ability to run on the surface of water.
Walking on water
[change | change source]This lizard can walk on water. When a land predator attacks, they gather sufficient momentum and start running on water to escape. This is a reference to the story in which Jesus walks on water.
