Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Sauropsida
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Iguania
Family: Corytophanidae


Corytophanidae is a family of lizards also called casque head lizards or helmeted lizards. They typically have well-developed head crests in the shape of a casque. This crest is a sexually dimorphic characteristic, found only on males[citation needed]. There are 9 known species of casque heads from 3 genera.

Casque heads are moderately sized forest-dwelling lizards with laterally compressed bodies. They are found from Mexico, through Central America, and as far south as Ecuador. Unlike many of their close relatives, they are unable to break off their tails when captured, probably because the tail is essential as a counterbalance during rapid movement. Despite the small size of the group, it includes both egg-laying species and some that give birth to live young.

Species

Family Corytophanidae

* Genus Basiliscus
o Common basilisk - Basiliscus basiliscus
o Western basilisk - Basiliscus galeritus
o Plumed basilisk - Basiliscus plumifrons
o Brown basilisk - Basiliscus vittatus
* Genus Corytophanes
o Helmeted Iguana - Corytophanes cristatus
o Guatemalan Helmeted Basilisk - Corytophanes pericarinatus
* Genus Laemanctus
o Eastern Casquehead Iguana - Laemanctus longipes