Basilisk: a lizard that walks on water

The basilisk lizard can not be confused with anyone because of its ability to move around funny and run on the water. Basilisk (Greek "little king") it is called because of the similarity with a monster that has a resemblance to a rooster, a snake and a lion that can turn a person into a stone by sight (Greek mythology).

These lizards can run on the water on the hind limbs from 1.5 to 4.5 meters before settling on all fours for swimming. Because of the fact that the basilisk runs on the water (photo depicts this process), the reptile is called "Jesus Christ".

Habitat

Basilisk is very much in the tropical forests of Central America. Their habitats stretch from southern Mexico to Panama. Reptiles spend most of their time on trees near water. When lizards are in danger, they fall into the water in a jump (in an upright position).

Description

The Basilisk belongs to the Iguana family. The lizard grows to about 80 cm in length, including the tail, ranging from 70 to 75% of the total body length. The weight of the animal is less than 2 grams when hatching, and more than 500 grams the adult weighs. Females and males have a color from brown to olive with a white, cream or yellow stripe on the upper lip and small bands on the sides of the trunk. They are more contrasting in young individuals and disappear as the basilisk grows up.

The lizard has long limbs with large fingers and sharp claws. The abdomen is usually yellow, the mouth is large and has many sawtooth teeth located on the inner sides of the jaw.

On the ground, the lizard can reach speeds of up to 11 km / h. Despite the fact that these strange animals are most known for their ability to run on water, they are also excellent climbers, swimmers and even divers! Adults can be under water for up to half an hour!

In captivity, individuals usually reach the age of 7 years. Nevertheless, their average life expectancy in the wild is considered much less because of predators (snakes, birds, turtles, opossums). To date, these bizarre reptiles are on the verge of extinction, so they are under protection.

Behavior

Basilisk lizards are daytime animals, so they are most active during the day, spending most of the time near the water. At night they sleep on branches. Masking under the color of the leaves is their main way of protecting against predators. By the way, males divide the territory, so the violation of "personal space" entails a conflict.

Food

These reptiles are omnivorous. Their diet consists of:

• colors;

• Insects (beetles, ants and dragonflies);

• Small vertebrates (snakes, birds and their eggs, and fish).

Reproduction

Females are smaller in size, they weigh about 200 grams. The males are distinguished by the high crests on the head and back that they use to impress the female individuals.

The female lizard reaches sexual maturity at the age of 20 months, while males grow up after 16 months of life. Nevertheless, males can not actually mate until they reach a sufficient status in the hierarchy of dominance, and this may take 3-4 years.

The breeding season can last up to ten months. In January and February, matings are rare in this kind of reptile, like a basilisk. The female lizard, being pregnant, prepares a shallow trench in which, after laying up to 20 eggs. Then the mother leaves them, and the children must hatch on their own. On average, this happens in about 88 days. Cubs from birth can swim in the water.

Walking on the water

Most animals that try to walk or run through the water immediately drown, since water, unlike hard ground, gives little support or resistance.

In order to understand how the basilisk lizard (photo is in the article) moves along the surface of the water, work was done to observe and fix the run. The pictures give a complete picture of this miracle. Using computer programs, researchers compare neighboring video frames, so you can see how the water balls move, keeping the amphibian on the surface. This allows you to calculate the reptilian forces and not let them drown.

Running on water basilisks achieve with the help of their long fingers on the hind limbs with a fringe. They unfold in the water, increasing the contact surface area. The principle of this movement can be defined in three stages.

First, the foot claps on the water and repels from its surface, with air pockets forming around it. Then the foot moves backward, and the body of the lizard is pushed forward. At the end, the limb rises up from the water, cotton again, and the cycle continues. The maximum distance traveled depends on the size and weight of the lizard. Young individuals, as a rule, run long distances (from 10 to 20 m) than the older generation (up to 4.5 m).

This run is similar to riding a bicycle, but at that moment the pedals stop scrolling, the bike stops, loses balance and falls. The same happens when the basilisk (lizard) runs on the water. The reptile is kept on the surface only under the condition of continuous work by the feet.

These reptiles of South America remain one of the most mysterious creatures of nature.