Geographical Region

Guatemala to Costa Rica

Habitat

Dense foliage in tropical rainforests

Colour

Bright green body colouration, males have a blue tinge

Size

Up to 24-inches

Captive Environment

36 x 24 x 24 for a single adult

48 x 24 x 30 for an adult pair

These lizards like to climb, so plenty of climbing branches and platforms as well as plastic planting to help the feel secure. A moist substrate such as orchid/rainforest bark or cypress bedding will help to increase humidity. A large water bowl is essential for soaking/defecating.

Heating

They require a basking temperature of 90 - 95°F, with a cooler temperature of 80°F. temperature at night should be allowed to drop to 70 °F. Use a reflector lamp/ceramic heater to keep temperature levels, always cage off heat equipment as basilisks are known for being crazy and can burn themselves.

Lighting

Basilisks require a 5% ultraviolet tube to allow them to metabolise calcium, without it, they will suffer from metabolic bone disease, which will lead them to a painful death.

Photoperiod

Autumn/winter – 11 hours light – 13 hours dark.

Spring/summer – 13 hours light – 11 hours dark.

Feeding

Omnivorous, feeding on dark greens such as British water cress, lambs lettuce and dandelions, as well as the occasional vegetables and some soft fruits. Insects such as crickets, hoppers and mealworms should make up 80% of their diet, we recommend using a vitamin supplement such as repton/reptivite 2 times weekly to complete their nutritional needs.

Sexing

Males have a large dorsal crest running from their heads all the way down to their tail, females do not have this, also males have femoral pores and a large hemi-penal swelling.