Habitat Use and Activity Budgets of Emerald Basilisks (Basiliscus plumifrons) in Northeast Costa Rica

Abstract

Variation in individual activity budgets may have important impacts for the long-term fitness of a population, yet our understanding of the factors shaping activity remains limited. Here, we report on intraspecific activity budget variation and the factors influencing it within a population of emerald basilisk (Basiliscus plumifrons) lizards in Costa Rica. Because behavioral variation may have a seasonal component, we monitor activity across both a wet and dry season. All basilisks exhibited similar frequencies of behavior throughout the day, with the exception of foraging rate. Adult females foraged more often than adult males or juveniles, possibly to satisfy higher expected energetic demands during the reproductive season. Juvenile and adult lizards occupied separate habitats characterized by significant differences in vegetation structure. In particular, juvenile lizards were more frequently observed in open, grassier habitats that were closer to water than adults. Juveniles may reduce their chances o...