Silhouette: Jose Carlos Arenas-Monroy · PhyloPic

Common Basilisk

Basiliscus basiliscus

Silhouette: Jose Carlos Arenas-Monroy · PhyloPic

Least ConcernNear ThreatenedVulnerableEndangeredCritically Endangered

KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
PhylumChordata (Chordates)
ClassSquamata
FamilyCorytophanidae (Helmeted Lizards)
GenusBasiliscus (Basilisks)
SpeciesBasiliscus basiliscus (Common Basilisk)

Daily sighting probability Insufficient data

at San Lorenzo Protected Forest

4 Verified sightings at San Lorenzo Protected Forest From 2019 to 2026

2,375 Verified sightings across all 26 parks From 2019 to 2026

☀️ Diurnal When it's spotted during daytime hours (6am–6pm)

About the Common Basilisk

The common basilisk (Basiliscus basiliscus) is a species of lizard in the family Corytophanidae. The species is endemic to Central America and South America, where it is found near rivers and streams in rainforests. It is also known as the Jesus Christ lizard, Jesus lizard, South American Jesus lizard, or lagarto de Jesus Cristo for its ability to run on the surface of water.

The common basilisk can be distinguished from similar species within its range by its large size and the high fin-like crest along its back. Most common basilisks are brown and cream in color. Males also have high crests on the head and tail. Both genders are brown to olive, and have a white, cream, or yellow stripe on the upper lip and a second stripe along either side of the body; these stripes have higher contrast in juveniles and fade as the lizards age.

Hatchlings weigh a mere 2 grams (0.071 oz) and are 38 to 43 mm (1.5 to 1.7 in) long. Adults can grow to a total length (including tail) of 76 cm (2.5 feet). Females are generally 135 to 194 g (4.8 to 6.8 oz), and weigh half as much as males. The tail comprises 70 to 75% of the total length: for example, a 70-cm-long (27.5-inch-long) common... Wikipedia →

Global Distribution

Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.

Parks Where Found

#	Park	Country	Daily sighting probability
1	Piedras Blancas National Park	🇨🇷 Costa Rica	~80%
2	Manuel Antonio National Park	🇨🇷 Costa Rica	~80%
3	Carara National Park	🇨🇷 Costa Rica	~70%
4	Corcovado National Park	🇨🇷 Costa Rica	~60%
5	Marino Ballena National Park	🇨🇷 Costa Rica	~60%
6	Coiba National Park	🇵🇦 Panama	~60%
7	Parque Natural Metropolitano	🇵🇦 Panama	~50%
8	Tayrona National Natural Park	🇨🇴 Colombia	~50%
9	Soberanía National Park	🇵🇦 Panama	~50%
10	Cabo Blanco Absolute Nature Reserve	🇨🇷 Costa Rica	~40%
11	Palo Verde National Park	🇨🇷 Costa Rica	~40%
12	Chagres National Park	🇵🇦 Panama	~40%
13	Darién National Park	🇵🇦 Panama	~30%
14	Ostional Wildlife Refuge	🇨🇷 Costa Rica	~20%
15	La Amistad International Park (Panama)	🇵🇦 Panama	~10%
16	Chirripó National Park	🇨🇷 Costa Rica	~10%
17	Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve	🇨🇷 Costa Rica	~10%
18	Tapantí-Macizo de la Muerte National Park	🇨🇷 Costa Rica	<5%
19	San Lorenzo Protected Forest	🇵🇦 Panama	Insufficient data
20	Rincón de la Vieja National Park	🇨🇷 Costa Rica	Insufficient data
21	Santa Rosa National Park	🇨🇷 Costa Rica	Insufficient data
22	Las Baulas Marine National Park	🇨🇷 Costa Rica	Insufficient data
23	Volcán Barú National Park	🇵🇦 Panama	Insufficient data
24	Tenorio Volcano National Park	🇨🇷 Costa Rica	Insufficient data
25	Los Quetzales National Park	🇨🇷 Costa Rica	Insufficient data
26	Arenal Volcano National Park	🇨🇷 Costa Rica	Insufficient data

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