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Plumed basilisk male

Basiliscus plumifrons

Description:

Plumed basilisks are bright green with small bluish spots along the dorsal ridge. These lizards may grow up to 3 ft (1 m) in length (most of which is tail), with an average length of about 2 ft (0.6 m). Males have three crests: one on the head, one on their back, and one on the tail. The females, however, only have one crest, on the head. This lizard is able to run short distances across water using both its feet and tail for support, an ability shared with other basilisks. In Costa Rica, this has earned the plumed basilisk the nickname "Jesus Christ lizard". It is also an excellent swimmer and can stay under water for up to 30 minutes. Gallery

Habitat:

Caño Negro, Costa Rica.

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45 Comments (1–25)

Mark Ridgway
Mark Ridgway 9 years ago

I must have missed this one. Amazing lizard. Great shots. Not a SOT? Crazy.

The MnMs
The MnMs 9 years ago

Thanks dover59 ;-)

dover59
dover59 9 years ago

awesome!

The MnMs
The MnMs 9 years ago

Thanks Sigg and rams4d

SG in CR
SG in CR 9 years ago

Nice capture. These are very common here in the north of Costa Rica along rivers and creeks. They're difficult to spot though when in the middle of a bunch of leaves.

rams4d
rams4d 9 years ago

Excellent picture, congrats !!!.

The MnMs
The MnMs 9 years ago

Thanks, staccyh :-)

staccyh
staccyh 9 years ago

Beautiful!! Those colours are amazing!

The MnMs
The MnMs 9 years ago

Thanks, Ana! :-)

The MnMs
The MnMs 9 years ago

You are welcome, beverly! I am very happy that so many people has appreciated this spotting :-)

Beverly by the sea
Beverly by the sea 9 years ago

WoW! This one is sooo beautiful! I love these pictures! Thank you for this post! :) ♥

That is a very beautiful and healthy Lizard, great pictures.

ChristosMaroulis
ChristosMaroulis 9 years ago

Amazing!!

MarcTe
MarcTe 9 years ago

great series ;)

The MnMs
The MnMs 9 years ago

Thanks, Bhagya! ,-)

Bhagya Herath
Bhagya Herath 9 years ago

Great spotting.....

The MnMs
The MnMs 9 years ago

Thanks dotun and Lizzy! :-)

Annelies
Annelies 9 years ago

Gorgeous spotting! That's one classy basilisk :)

dotun55
dotun55 9 years ago

That's a very amazing lizard!

The MnMs
The MnMs 9 years ago

Haha, venus, thanks for your nice wishes about SOTD. I already had one recently and we have to give chance to other newer PN users too :-)

Caleb Steindel
Caleb Steindel 9 years ago

SOTD, anyone?

JillBlack
JillBlack 9 years ago

Wow fantastic shots

Jason Alexander
Jason Alexander 9 years ago

I love it!!

The MnMs
The MnMs 9 years ago

Thanks Dan & Emile ;-)

Dan Doucette
Dan Doucette 9 years ago

Wicked spotting Marta!

The MnMs
Spotted by
The MnMs

Alajuela Province, Costa Rica

Spotted on Apr 12, 2014
Submitted on May 30, 2014

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