BASILISK
Basilisks are creatures that need warmth.
They need a large cage or tank with a lot of water. Although not totally covered. They also need material to climb on and though they do spend a lot of time in the water. They do not LIVE in water.
They need a place to sleep. So either leave some nice soft soil in a pile for it to sleep or some indoor carpet. Just a little.
Keeping Live plants in the cage with the lizard can keep the humidity up, and can provide safe hiding spots. It also sets a nice scenery. Fake Plants do obviously not keep humidity up although they provide hiding places.
Basilisks also LOVE to climb, so having a large branch in the cage wouldn’t be a bad idea.
Basilisks need warmth. So having a light bulb in the cage is needed. Get only a light bulb that clearly states. 290 to 320nm range. The UVB fluorescent tube should be set up so that the light is not more than 10 inches above the Basilisk, with no glass or plastic between the light and the lizard as these materials block out vital UVB rays
UVB is important to the health of the lizard because it helps them use the calcium in their diet properly. Without artificial or real UVB (unfiltered sunlight) a reptile can become calcium deficient and become ill with an ailment called MBD.
Heating the cage properly all depends upon how warm the room the lizard is being kept in is, and what wattage of basking lights you are using, versus the size and type of cage. So I can't really say to specifically use a certain wattage of light bulb for heating. You will have to have two thermometers in the cage, and you will need to keep an eye on the cage temperatures and use various wattages in order to achieve the proper day time cage temperatures for the Basilisk. The day time cage temp should be 84 - 88 F (28.8 - 31.1 C), basking site 95 F (35 C). The night time temperature should be 75 - 80 F (23.8 C- 26.6 C). To achieve proper temperatures night and day many herp keepers use basking lights during the day and a mix of ceramic heat emitters, heating pads under the propped up tank and or night lights (moonlights, infrared) to help keep the night temperatures at the proper levels.
the Basilisk consists of pinkies, fuzzies, zophobas and regular mealworms, crickets, and the occasional veggie. The more variety that you can offer the better
Handle them at least once daily. Spending at least 10 minutes with them to get them accustomed to being handled, used to people and a bit less stressed. The more you can interact with them the better- especially from a young age.
Females are more skittish than males as a general rule... If you do not have a working relationship with your animals as they get bigger, be SURE to wear gloves during handling. Basilisks are especially fast, and seem to be able to tell the exact instant you are distracted.. as opposed to running, they seem to want to flip around and bite the offending hand, even if it DOES feed them :) Spend time with them, hold them, etc., and most of them will probably turn out at least handlable
Diet and coloration
Diet and amount of sun WILL cause colour differences in basilisks. Commonly, dealers will tell you that this is a way to tell Wild Caught from CB animals. This is partially true. Basilisks who have seen little or no sunlight do not develop the brilliant green of their wild counterparts. However, some breeders who live in the south house their animals outside, and produce animals which could pass for wild caught specimens.. I'm told that no amount of vitamins, no matter what combinations, will produce the same results without sunlight.. This appears to be one of the situations where sunlight gives off something they need which we are not aware of.. yet..
