Green basilisks ( Basiliscus plumifrons ) are striking lizards native to Central America, known for their vibrant green coloration and unique ability to run across water. These diurnal, arboreal creatures make fascinating display animals for experienced reptile keepers. Understanding their dietary needs is crucial for ensuring their health and well-being in captivity.
Natural Diet and Nutritional Needs
In their natural habitat, green basilisks are omnivorous, with a diet that shifts from primarily insectivorous when young to a more varied diet as they mature. Wild basilisks consume a variety of foods, including:
- Insects: Winged insects form a significant portion of their diet.
- Small Animals: This includes smaller lizards, snakes, fish, rodents, birds, and frogs.
- Fruits and Greens: They also consume flowers and fruits.
This varied diet provides them with essential nutrients, vitamins, and minerals necessary for growth, energy, and overall health.
Feeding Green Basilisks in Captivity
Replicating the natural diet of a green basilisk in captivity requires offering a diverse range of food items. Here's a breakdown of suitable food options:
Insects
Insects should form the staple of a captive green basilisk's diet. Appropriate choices include:
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- Crickets: A readily available and nutritious option.
- Mealworms: Can be offered in moderation due to their higher fat content.
- Waxworms: Should be given sparingly as treats due to their high-fat content.
- Locusts: A good source of protein and nutrients.
- Dubia Roaches: A nutritious and easily digestible option.
- Superworms: Can be offered in moderation, similar to mealworms.
- Grasshoppers: Zoo Med's Can O’ Grasshoppers is a convenient option.
- Spiders: Another option to vary their insect diet
It is important to "gut-load" insects before feeding them to your basilisk. This involves feeding the insects nutritious food, such as fresh vegetation and insect food, which will then be transferred to your basilisk. Dehydrating insects is not recommended. Bug gels specifically designed for the type of insect you have are a good alternative for keeping insects fresh.
Other Food Items
While insects should be the primary food source, you can supplement your basilisk's diet with:
- Small Minnows: Offer a source of protein and variety.
- Night Crawlers: Another source of protein.
- Pinky or Fuzzy Mice (Frozen/Thawed): Offer only occasionally (one or two per month per basilisk) as a high-fat treat.
- Berries (Blackberries, Raspberries, Strawberries, Blueberries): A good source of vitamins and antioxidants. Males love blackberries, but females may not be as interested in fruit.
- Mango, Cantaloupe, Papaya: Offer in small quantities as treats due to their high sugar content. Fruit should be kept to a minimum when feeding, though, and I recommend feeding it only to adults.
Supplementation
To ensure your green basilisk receives all the necessary nutrients, it's crucial to use supplements:
- Calcium Powder with D3: Dust food items three times a week to support bone health and prevent metabolic bone disease.
- Vitamin Supplement with Beta-Carotene: Dust food items the other four days of the week. Beta-carotene helps maintain their vibrant colors.
Water
Basilisks need constant access to fresh, clean water. Since they naturally live in hot, humid environments and are often found near water, providing a filtered aquarium right in the vivarium is ideal. This not only provides a drinking source but also contributes to the necessary humidity levels.
Feeding Schedule and Techniques
- Frequency: The frequency of feeding depends on the age and size of your basilisk. Younger basilisks require more frequent feedings than adults.
- Portion Size: Offer an amount of food that your basilisk can consume within a reasonable time frame.
- Observation: Monitor your basilisk's weight and body condition to adjust the amount of food accordingly.
- Presentation: Offer food in a shallow dish or allow the basilisk to hunt live insects within the enclosure.
Important Considerations
- Wild-Caught vs. Captive-Bred: Wild-caught basilisks may have specific dietary preferences or require an adjustment period to adapt to captive feeding. Ensure the enclosure is large enough and has enough hiding places so the lizards can feel safe.
- Food Aggression: Female basilisks can be very aggressive when it comes to food. If housing multiple basilisks together, monitor their feeding behavior to ensure each individual gets enough food. Housing juvenile basilisks separately is recommended so that the males grow at a healthy pace and become established before introducing them to the females.
- Nose Rubbing: Captive basilisks are prone to rubbing their noses along the transparent walls of their enclosure when they feel stressed. Ensuring the enclosure is large enough and has plenty of hiding places will greatly reduce the risk of nose-rubbing behavior.
- Timid Males: Male basilisks are timid when they are being watched, and for the first couple of weeks after you have brought one home, it more than likely will prefer to remain perched up in the rear of the enclosure, head-bobbing at you, rather then eat.
Enclosure and Environmental Factors
A proper enclosure is vital for a basilisk's health and feeding habits. Key aspects include:
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- Size: The absolute minimum enclosure size for a single green basilisk is 6’L x 2’W x 4’H.
- UVB Lighting: UVB is required for green basilisks to stay healthy. For best results, house the UVB bulbs in a reflective fixture like the Arcadia ProT5 or Vivarium Electronics T5 HO.
- Temperature Gradient: Provide a basking area temperature between 90-95°F and a cool side temperature between 75-80°F.
- Humidity: Maintain humidity levels between 60-70%. Increase humidity by misting your basilisk’s enclosure 2x/day with a large pressure sprayer or automatic misting system.
- Water Source: Provide a pool of water that is deep and large enough for them to dive into and swim around in.
- Substrate: Substrate should be at least 4” deep and completely replaced every 3-4 months.
- Enrichment: Provide a large, sturdy branch for them to bask on, foliage to hide in, and a sufficiently large pool for swimming.