Western basilisk

Basiliscus galeritus

The western basilisk, or red-headed basilisk, is a large species of corytophanid lizard from northwestern South America.
Western basilisk, San Cipriano Reserve, Colombia This Western basilisk was held by our herping guide Alejo. Unlike frogs, they are very much not cooperative and will attempt to bite. Basiliscus galeritus,Colombia,Colombia 2022,Geotagged,San Cipriano Reserve,South America,Summer,Western basilisk,World

Appearance

Males reach a length up to about 77.5 cm, while females reach about 63.5 cm. Its body color is olive-green with a reddish-brown underbelly. The throat is white to yellow. On the back it has a small crest similar to that of young individuals of the common basilisk. It has narrow white stripes on the sides. It has no back flap. The adult males bear a round head flap/crest.
Western basilisk - head, San Cipriano Reserve, Colombia Juvenile, no crest. Held by our herping guide Alejo for a quick closeup shot.
https://www.jungledragon.com/image/145295/western_basilisk_san_cipriano_reserve_colombia.html Basiliscus galeritus,Colombia,Colombia 2022,Geotagged,San Cipriano Reserve,South America,Summer,Western basilisk,World

Naming

The western basilisk has been introduced to Gorgona Island, Colombia. This species is not native to the island, and thus, is endangering native species that reside on the island, such as the endemic blue anole.

References:

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Taxonomy
KingdomAnimalia
DivisionChordata
ClassReptilia
OrderSquamata
FamilyCorytophanidae
GenusBasiliscus
SpeciesB. galeritus
Photographed in
Colombia