Basilisk - Common basiliscus

A lizard of the Iguanidae family of the Squamata order of the Reptilia class. It is part of the Basilisk genus of the same family and is found in southern Central America, Ecuador, Colombia, and Venezuela. Its total length is 50 to 75 cm, with a tail that is just over half that length. Its English and scientific names come from the Greek mythological monster Basilisk, which is said to have killed people with its breath and glare. It has developed fins on its back line from the torso to the base of the tail, which is particularly noticeable in males. In addition, adult males have a crest-like head ornament on the back of their heads, and in the case of the Crested Basilisk B. plumifrons, which is native to tropical America, this is a double crown-shaped ornament. It is terrestrial, preferring waterside areas and also climbing trees. When startled, it stands upright and runs away by jumping on its hind legs. It can also run short distances on the surface of the water without sinking. This is due to the force of spreading the skin on the edges of its fingers and pushing the water surface hard.

[Takahiro Matsui]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

爬虫(はちゅう)綱有鱗(ゆうりん)目イグアナ科のトカゲ。同科バシリスク属に含まれ、中央アメリカ南部、エクアドル、コロンビア、ベネズエラに分布し、全長50～75センチメートル、尾はその2分の1余りである。英名および学名は、息や眼光で人を殺したといわれるギリシア神話の怪獣バシリスク（バジリスク）に由来する。胴から尾の基部にかけて背中線上にひれ飾りが発達し、雄ではとくに著しい。また成長した雄の後頭部にはとさか状の頭飾りがあり、熱帯アメリカ産のカンムリバシリスクB. plumifronsでは二重の冠形となる。地上性で水辺を好み木にも登る。驚くと、体を立て後肢だけで飛び跳ねるように走り去る。さらに、短距離ならば水面上を沈まずに走ることができる。これは、指の縁の皮膚を広げ、水面を強くける力による。

［松井孝爾］

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