Crown basilisks
| Crown basilisks | ||||||||||||
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Crowned basilisk ( Laemanctus spec. ) |
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| Systematics | ||||||||||||
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| Scientific name | ||||||||||||
| Laemanctus | ||||||||||||
| Wiegmann , 1834 |
The crown basilisks ( Laemanctus ) belong to the family Corytophanidae in the group of iguanas (Iguania) and are currently divided into two types. The German zoologist Arend Friedrich August Wiegmann described the first species of the genus Laemanctus as early as 1834 .
description
Crowned basilisks are very slender lizards and can reach a body length of up to 70 cm, with the tail taking up about 3/4 of the length. Special features are the long legs with 4 long toes each and the very characteristic crown. A gender difference is difficult to observe. Males usually have a slightly thicker tail than females. Sometimes the male's hemipenis can also be seen when they gently lift the tail.
Way of life
Crowned basilisks are diurnal and prefer to live individually. The males in particular are strongly territorial among themselves and defend every single branch of the tree they prefer. A clutch consists of 3–4 eggs.
distribution
Crowned basilisks inhabit neotropical lowland rainforests of Central America.
nutrition
Crowned basilisks feed primarily on insects, arachnids and smaller frogs. Ripe fruits are also occasionally consumed.
species
The genus of crown basilisks has two types:
- Laemanctus longipes - Wiegmann, 1834
- Laemanctus serratus - Cope, 1864
