---
title: "Common Basilisk"
description: "Basiliscus basiliscus — Rettili. The common basilisk (Basiliscus basiliscus) is a species of lizard in the family Corytophanidae."
canonical: https://animalchecklist.com/it/animal/common-basilisk
last_updated: 2026-09-20
---

# Common Basilisk

> Basiliscus basiliscus — Rettili. The common basilisk (Basiliscus basiliscus) is a species of lizard in the family Corytophanidae.

- Scientific name: *Basiliscus basiliscus*
- Category: `reptiles` (Rettili)
- Habitats: `forest` (Foresta), `freshwater` (Laghi e fiumi), `jungle` (Giungla)
- iNaturalist observations: 10443
- Wikidata: [Q651273](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q651273)
- iNaturalist taxon: [33121](https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/33121)

## Names

- en: Common Basilisk
- de: Helmbasilisk
- es: Toloque centroamericano
- fr: Basilic commun
- nl: Helmbasilisk
- pl: Bazyliszek zwyczajny

## Countries with the most observations

CR (6439), PA (2355), CO (1028), VE (6)

## Summary

The common basilisk (Basiliscus basiliscus) is a species of lizard in the family Corytophanidae. The species is endemic to Central America and South America, where it is found near rivers and streams in rainforests. It is also known as the Jesus Christ lizard, Jesus lizard, South American Jesus lizard, or lagarto de Jesus Cristo for its ability to run on the surface of water.

Text: Wikipedia (en), CC BY-SA 4.0 — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_basilisk

## Photo

![Common Basilisk](https://animalchecklist.com/img/animals/common-basilisk/medium.jpg)

Photo: Marissa Balfour · CC0 · inaturalist — https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/129558438

## Machine access

`GET https://animalchecklist.com/api/v1/animals/common-basilisk?lang=it` — see [openapi.json](https://animalchecklist.com/openapi.json).