Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Ok, basilisks are my favorite lizards. I love all the species and read everything I could get my hands on about them. I had read in Philippe de Vosjoli's Green Water Dragons, Sailfin Lizards and Basilisks book that the largest of the basilisk species was the male Double Crested (Plumifrons). However, I had just read a webpage stating that they were the smallest or 2nd smallest. I've only had experience with Central American Basilisks (Vittatus) so I have no way of comparing the species for myself.
Can someone please sort this out for me? I'm getting the impression that the species are all pretty similar in size but I'd like clarification. Anyone???

again try contacting bert langerwerf on this matter.agamainternational.com. he has on numerous occasions breed basilisks. even B. Galeritus(the red-headed basilisks) they were as of 1997 the only institution to have breed these very rare lizards. so he should be able to clarify a few things for you.
P.

and one other thing. don't take what you read on the internet to seriously. i take most of it with a grain of salt. there are very few people who actually breed basilisks and create a page dedicated to them. not to be confused with people that breed but do not make a web page. most of it is nay-say. the old "i heard this and this", then it turns into a web page with misleading information. hope you find the information that you are looking for. plumifrons is one of my favorites as well. my advice is to listen to the thicker books, and not to the web pages. research, research, research. keep it up.
P.

Thanks! I apprieciate the response and I'll probably contact Agama International.
It may seem stupid to take what you read on the net seriously but knowing the truth after seeing a detour in my beliefs is very important especially considering that I want to breed basilisks. Knowing the maximum size will help because if I wanted to breed a Plumifrons thinking that it's actual size is say 1 1/2 feet when it's actually 2-3 feet could cause some serious problems. If the animal was proper breeding age but not proper breeding size due to whatever reason and I don't know it because I'm lead to believe something else... Well, you get the point. But, for all those out there reading those pages I think that you should contact some breeders or knowledgable people Like I just did.
Thanks again!

Not a question with a clear answer.
On averadge Basiliscus basiliscus exceeds the other species in size and weight and normally males reach around 32" as adults.
Normally vittatus are the smallest but there are recorded vittatus specimens which as well exceed 30".
So for the averadge specimen plumifrons is about the second largest Basiliscus, but there is no clear size difference to galeritus. A normal plumifrons reaches 28-30".
Especially for B. basiliscus and B. plumifrons exceptionally large individuals can be found here and then. I have heard of B. basiliscus males of almost 36" and I have seen myself such specimens of plumifrons. The largest specimen of plumifrons I ever saw measured 36" but the tail was badly regenerated and with the original tail this animal might have reached almost 39".

Hope that helps

Ingo
(an experienced basilisk breeder)