Plumed Basilisk
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Corytophanidae are New World lizards, native to the tropical regions of South and Central America. Like the Frilled Lizard, male Corytophanidae species use the large head crest as a defense mechanism, raising it (along with a back and tail crest) to make them look larger to any potential predator.
The basilisks are one of three genera in the family, and are also known for their ability to literally run across water when fleeing a predator.
Basilisks species come in shades of green and brown. The Plumed Basilisk is also known as the Green Basilisk for its predominantly green skin.
© 2008 Patricia A. Michaels