BASILISK, common name for a genus of lizards of the iguana family. These
harmless but fierce-looking reptiles are named for the mythical monster
whose
breath and glance were fatal.
Basilisks are lively animals and although they move slowly on all four
legs, they can
move rapidly on their hind legs; in fact, they are known for their ability
to run across
the surface of water. Four species of basilisk are found in tropical America
from
Mexico to Ecuador. These omnivorous tree dwellers grow to about 1 m (about
3 ft),
most of the length being in the slender, whiplike tail. Their back legs
are developed
far out of proportion to the rest of the body so that when at rest they
squat like
frogs. Male basilisks are often adorned with an erectile crest along the
middle of the
back and tail or on the head. The banded basilisk is brown with a yellow
band along
each side of the body; the other species are yellowish or greenish brown.
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