Plumed Basilisk

The plumed basilisk, Basiliscus plumifrons, also called a green basilisk or double crested basilisk, is a species of lizard native to Latin America. Its natural range covers a swath from Mexico to Ecuador.

The females of this species lay five to fifteen eggs at a time in warm, damp sand or soil. The eggs hatch after eight to ten weeks, at which point the young emerge as fully independent lizards.

Males are very territorial; a single male may keep land containing a large group of females with whom he mates. Most basilisks are skittish and do not tolerate much handling.

This lizard is able to run short distances across water using both its feet and tail for support, an ability shared with other basilisks and the Malaysian sail-finned lizard, Hydrosaurus amboinensis. In Costa Rica, this has earned the plumed basilisk the nickname "Jesus Christ lizard". It is also an excellent swimmer and can stay under water for up to 30 minutes.

Source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plumed_basilisk - 07.04.2010