The Jesus lizard is a type of basilisk lizard.
Jesus Lizard is a nickname given to the common basilisk lizard, also called the green basilisk. The nickname is derived from the lizard’s unique ability to walk on water, referencing the biblical story of Christ crossing the Sea of Galilee. Its natural habitat is in the tropical rainforests of Central and South America, usually near bodies of water such as rivers and streams.
The natural habitat of the Jesus lizard is the tropical forests of South and Central America.
This aquatic lizard acquires its messianic power thanks to the folds of skin on its legs that unfold when it is in the water. This increases the surface area of the lizard’s feet. As it runs, the fins hit the water with force, creating small pockets of air that prevent the lizard from sinking deep enough to move forward. Thanks to these specially designed feet, the basilisk can sometimes run up to 15 feet (4.5 meters) on the surface of the water before finally submerging. Adding to the strange sight, some basilisks do this on two feet, giving them a humanoid appearance and more credence to Jesus’ lizard moniker.
Jesus lizards live in tropical forests.
The basilisk’s ability to walk on water is often used to evade larger predators. The Jesus Lizard is found low on the food chain in its natural habitat and is frequently attacked by birds and snakes. When the ability to walk on water takes them as far as possible, they dive into the water. The basilisk can move quickly under water or on top of it. In captivity, a basilisk can live up to 10 years, but they rarely survive that long in the wild, as they are hunted by so many predators.
The basilisk is omnivorous, which means that it feeds on both plants and animals. Common prey for the Jesus Lizard include small insects, fish, and vertebrates, as well as various fruits and plant matter. Like many other lizards, the basilisk grows perpetually from birth to death. They can reach 30 inches (75 centimeters), but are most often seen around 12 inches (30 centimeters) or less. In addition to its ability to walk on water, this lizard’s other defining characteristics include a large crest on its head and sharp claws adorning each toe.
The Jesus Lizard is a popular pet lizard for many reptile hobbyists. They are usually kept in a large aquarium or lizard cage, singly or in groups, and require a fair amount of heat and humidity to stay healthy.