The brown basilisk or striped basilisk (Basiliscus vittatus; in some areas referred to as "common basilisk") is one species of basilisk lizard. They are native to Mexico, Central America and adjacent northwestern Colombia, but have been introduced into the U.S. state of Florida as a feral species.Along with the Common Basilisk they have the nickname "Jesus Lizard" because when fleeing from a predator, they are very fast and can even run on top of the water.