Plumed basilisk (Basiliscus plumifrons)

Short answers

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

120×90×150 cm (tall format) for one adult animal; considerably larger is better, a pair or group from ~200×150×230 cm.

Plumed basilisk: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 26–30 °C, basking spot 35–40 °C, at night 20–22 °C.

Plumed basilisk: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: UVB needed (a UVA/UVB lamp, Ferguson zone 2, UV index approx. 2–3).

Plumed basilisk: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: approx. 8–12 years (often 5–8, rarely over 10).

Plumed basilisk: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

26–30 °C

Night temperature

20–22 °C

Basking spot

35–40 °C

Humidity

70–80 % by day, up to 90–100 % at night

UVB

UVB needed (a UVA/UVB lamp, Ferguson zone 2, UV index approx. 2–3)

Enclosure

Minimum size

120×90×150 cm (tall format) for one adult animal; considerably larger is better, a pair or group from ~200×150×230 cm

Substrate

A damp forest-floor or coco humus and soil mix with leaf litter; a large, clean water section is essential

Feeding

Food

Insects (crickets, locusts, roaches, wax moths, superworms), occasionally fish, pinkies or chicks; a little fruit and greens

Feeding interval

adults 2–3×/week, juveniles daily

Key facts

Adult size

70–90 cm total length including the tail (SVL approx. 17–24 cm)

Life expectancy

approx. 8–12 years (often 5–8, rarely over 10)

Origin

Central America (southern Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, eastern Honduras)

Protection status

Not listed under CITES, no special protected status in the EU; no registration duty

Brumation

No winter rest; possibly a slightly drier spell of 3–4 months

Cohabitation

Keep them singly; only in very large enclosures one male plus several females (a harem). NEVER keep males together (territorial, with territorial fights)

Notes

Very shy and nervous; in a panic it runs into the glass and injures its snout → plenty of height, dense planting, visual barriers. A large heated water section (for bathing and escape) is essential. The females need a laying site. A high space and humidity requirement.

Do you keep this species?

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Related species

• Brown basilisk (Basiliscus vittatus) – 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 Plumed basilisk (Basiliscus plumifrons) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (120×90×150 cm (tall format) for one adult animal; considerably larger is better, a pair or group from ~200×150×230 cm), substrate (A damp forest-floor or coco humus and soil mix with leaf litter; a large, clean water section is essential), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.