Green Basilisk Care Sheet
Lizard
24 - 36 inches long
13+ Years
Insectivore
Diet & Nutrition
Green Basilisks are insectivores. Offer a variety of live insects including crickets, mealworms, waxworms, and cockroach nymphs.
Feeding Schedule
Feed babies and adults daily, although some keepers will feed adults every other day. Dust food with calcium powder daily & a multivitamin once a week. Feed them the amount they will eat in 10 minutes. Worms can be left in the food bowl.
Housing & Habitat
Green Basilisks are native to Central America. They love to jump and climb. Provide plenty of climbing branches at various heights throughout the enclosure. Be sure to provide plenty of foliage for hiding areas in the trees. Keep the environment warm and humid. Green Basilisks may be kept alone or in pairs.
If housed together Green Basilisk should be of similar size to avoid injury. Never house two males together in the same tank. Two females generally get along well. A male and female will likely breed if housed together.
Enclosure Size
An adult must have a minimum cage size of 48" Long x 18" Deep x 20" High.
Babies can be started in a 40 Breeder / 50-gallon tank.
Substrate
Due to humidity requirements an absorbent substrate is desired. Peat moss or coconut fiber are preferred.
Temperature & Lighting
Temperature
Green Basilisks need a basking spot of 95° F with an ambient temperature between 80° F and 88° F. At night the temperature can drop into the high 70's.
Lighting
Since this is a diurnal species, it requires two light bulbs. One is the heat lamp which also emits UVA. The second is a UVB lamp. The UVB lamp will specifically say UVB on the box. If the box doesn't say UVB, it's not UVB.
Plant and Fish bulbs are not UVB bulbs.
Humidity & Watering
Humidity
The cage including the decorations should be misted 1 - 2 times a day to ensure proper humidity levels. Humidity levels should be between 70% - 80%.
Watering
Provide a bowl of fresh drinking water at all times. Green Basilisks also like to swim. Provide a large enough water bowl so the lizard can soak and swim.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What do Green Basilisks eat?
Green Basilisks are insectivores. Offer a variety of live insects including crickets, mealworms, waxworms, and cockroach nymphs.
What size enclosure does a Green Basilisk need?
Green Basilisks are native to Central America. They love to jump and climb. Provide plenty of climbing branches at various heights throughout the enclosure. Be sure to provide plenty of foliage for hiding areas in the trees. Keep the environment warm and humid. Green Basilisks may be kept alone or in pairs. If housed together Green Basilisk should be of similar size to avoid injury. Never house two males together in the same tank. Two females generally get along well. A male and female will l...
What temperature and lighting does a Green Basilisk need?
Green Basilisks need a basking spot of 95° F with an ambient temperature between 80° F and 88° F. At night the temperature can drop into the high 70's. Since this is a diurnal species, it requires two light bulbs. One is the heat lamp which also emits UVA. The second is a UVB lamp. The UVB lamp will specifically say UVB on the box. If the box doesn't say UVB, it's not UVB. Plant and Fish bulbs are not UVB bulbs. Humidity: The cage including the decorations should be misted 1 - 2 times a day t...