Nature Field Guide
Green Basilisk
- Spanish name
- Basilisco verde
- Scientific name
- Basiliscus plumifrons
What Do Pico & Tati Think?
Pico and Tati invite you to learn about the green basilisk. Compare an adult male photograph with a juvenile. Which features change as the animal grows?
Species overview
About the Green Basilisk
A green lizard of humid forests and stream edges. Adult males have striking head and body crests; younger animals and females are less dramatically crested.
Identification
Key Features of the Green Basilisk
Green body with pale or bluish spots.
Long tail and long hind toes.
Large head, back and tail crests in adult males.
Habitat & range
Humid Caribbean lowland forests and suitable wooded stream corridors.
Local observations
Recorded in Costa Rica. This profile describes suitable habitat, not a confirmed Tamarindo sighting or a guaranteed viewing location.
When to observe
Daytime; observe from established trails away from the water edge.
Conservation & care
Watch wildlife with an adult from a safe path. Do not touch, feed, capture or move reptiles, and keep pets away. Leave eggs, shelters and vegetation undisturbed.
Observation activity
Compare an adult male photograph with a juvenile. Which features change as the animal grows?