Brown basilisk (Basiliscus vittatus)

Short answers

Brown basilisk: How big does the enclosure need to be?

A pair at least 150×80×150 cm (rainforest, with a large bathing spot).

Brown basilisk: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 26–28 °C, basking spot Basking spot 35–40 °C, at night ~22 °C.

Brown basilisk: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Essential.

Brown basilisk: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: ~7–10 years.

Brown basilisk: Is it suitable for beginners?

Rather not – it is considered an intermediate species (difficulty: Intermediate).

Climate

Daytime temperature

26–28 °C

Night temperature

~22 °C

Basking spot

Basking spot 35–40 °C

Humidity

70–90 %

UVB

Essential

Enclosure

Minimum size

a pair at least 150×80×150 cm (rainforest, with a large bathing spot)

Substrate

Damp forest floor (soil and coco) with leaf litter

Feeding

Food

Mostly insects, also plant food and small vertebrates

Feeding interval

Adults several times a week

Key facts

Adult size

Up to ~75 cm total length (SVL ~26 cm)

Life expectancy

~7–10 years

Origin

Central America (Mexico to Colombia)

Protection status

—

Brumation

None

Cohabitation

Keep in pairs or as a harem: one male with several females works, since females generally tolerate each other but each need their own basking and hiding spots; feed separately if there is a size difference. Several males, however, do not get along — they fight over territory and basking spots until one is injured or permanently pushed into a corner.

Notes

Skittish and fond of running — it needs a large, solidly furnished terrarium with a big water and bathing area (it likes to swim and dive).

Do you keep this species?

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Related species

• Plumed basilisk (Basiliscus plumifrons) – Intermediate
• Common basilisk (Basiliscus basiliscus) – Intermediate
• Red-headed basilisk (Basiliscus galeritus) – Expert
• Serrated casquehead iguana (Laemanctus serratus) – Intermediate
• Hernandez's helmeted basilisk (Corytophanes hernandesii) – Expert
• Eastern casquehead iguana (Laemanctus longipes) – Intermediate
• Ghost anole (Anolis lemurinus) – Intermediate
• Aguero's false chameleon (Chamaeleolis agueroi) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Brown basilisk (Basiliscus vittatus) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (a pair at least 150×80×150 cm (rainforest, with a large bathing spot)), substrate (Damp forest floor (soil and coco) with leaf litter), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.