---
title: "Western Basilisk"
description: "Basiliscus galeritus — Répteis. The western basilisk (Basiliscus galeritus), also known as the red-headed basilisk, is a large species of lizard in the family Corytophanidae."
canonical: https://animalchecklist.com/pt/animal/western-basilisk
last_updated: 2026-09-20
---

# Western Basilisk

> Basiliscus galeritus — Répteis. The western basilisk (Basiliscus galeritus), also known as the red-headed basilisk, is a large species of lizard in the family Corytophanidae.

- Scientific name: *Basiliscus galeritus*
- Category: `reptiles` (Répteis)
- Habitats: `freshwater` (Lagos e rios), `jungle` (Selva)
- iNaturalist observations: 1457
- Wikidata: [Q2705831](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2705831)
- iNaturalist taxon: [33120](https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/33120)

## Names

- en: Western Basilisk
- de: Ekuadorbasilisk
- es: Toloque sudamericano de cabeza roja
- fr: Basilic à tête rouge
- nl: Western basilisk

## Countries with the most observations

CO (927), EC (398)

## Summary

The western basilisk (Basiliscus galeritus), also known as the red-headed basilisk, is a large species of lizard in the family Corytophanidae. The species is endemic to northwestern South America.

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

## Photo

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

Photo: Andrew J. Crawford · CC0 · inaturalist — https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/264087124

## Machine access

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