Hernandez's helmeted basilisk (Corytophanes hernandesii)

Short answers

Hernandez's helmeted basilisk: How big does the enclosure need to be?

80×60×100 cm (height).

Hernandez's helmeted basilisk: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 23–29 °C, basking spot 30 °C, at night 19–22 °C.

Hernandez's helmeted basilisk: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Essential (UVB 5.0).

Hernandez's helmeted basilisk: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 6–10 years.

Hernandez's helmeted basilisk: Is it suitable for beginners?

No – better suited to experienced keepers (difficulty: Expert).

Climate

Daytime temperature

23–29 °C

Night temperature

19–22 °C

Basking spot

30 °C

Humidity

80–90 %

UVB

Essential (UVB 5.0)

Enclosure

Minimum size

80×60×100 cm (height)

Substrate

Coco humus with leaf litter, vertical branches, dense planting

Feeding

Food

House crickets, crickets, roaches, wax moths

Feeding interval

2–3×/week

Key facts

Adult size

25–35 cm total length

Life expectancy

6–10 years

Origin

Southern Mexico, Guatemala, Belize – rainforest

Protection status

Not listed under CITES; mostly wild-caught animals

Brumation

None

Cohabitation

Keeping in pairs (one male with several females) is recommended; two males do not work together - they fight over territory and the warm spot until one is seriously injured or permanently cornered. Multiple warm spots and hides, plus separate feeding once sizes differ, are important.

Notes

It stays motionless on vertical trunks for days and relies entirely on its camouflage – it eats only what moves directly in front of it. Very prone to stress; a quiet spot and visual screening are decisive.

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Related species

• Helmeted iguana (Corytophanes cristatus) – Expert
• Brown basilisk (Basiliscus vittatus) – Intermediate
• Serrated casquehead iguana (Laemanctus serratus) – Intermediate
• Plumed basilisk (Basiliscus plumifrons) – Intermediate
• Common basilisk (Basiliscus basiliscus) – Intermediate
• Eastern casquehead iguana (Laemanctus longipes) – Intermediate
• Red-headed basilisk (Basiliscus galeritus) – Expert
• Anegada ground iguana (Cyclura pinguis) – Expert

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Hernandez's helmeted basilisk (Corytophanes hernandesii) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (80×60×100 cm (height)), substrate (Coco humus with leaf litter, vertical branches, dense planting), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.