Reptiles - the mere mention of the word will send shivers down the spines of many I know, and it's perhaps with little wonder. Oftentimes, the word 'reptiles' evoke the mental image of something slimy, aggressive, dangerous, and hence, repulsive. Despite their less than appealing appearance (though this is, of course, subjective), I find reptiles to be utterly fascinating creatures, at least in terms of the way they move and adapt to their environment.
One such reptile is the green basilisk lizard (basiliscus plumifrons), "also called a plumed or double-crested basilisk but its amazing ability to run on water gives this species its most recognizable moniker: the Jesus Christ lizard." (Green Basilisk Lizard, National Geographic.) Yes, you read it right - the green basilisk lizard can run on water!
It is said in the Bible that Jesus once walked on water, and it is after this that the green basilisk was named. Harry Potter fans will also recognize the word 'basilisk'. Sorry to disappoint you Harry Potter fans, but this lizard is not exactly the type of basilisks mentioned by Rowling in her books!
Instead, it is a lizard that is part of the iguana family. They are most commonly found on the trees of the Central American rainforests, and are never too far from a body of water. (Green Basilisk Lizard, National Geographic.) When threatened by predators, the basilisk lizards take off at lightning speed, often over water bodies.
Here's a picture of a green basilisk scrambling for its dear life:
Image source
On average, basilisk lizards weigh between 200 to 600 grams - sure, that is light, but it is also far from being light enough to stand on a water surface without breaking the water tension (ala the waterboat man insect). (How Lizards Walk on Water, BBC News.)
How then, do the basilisks achieve this amazing feat?
The basilisk lizard has large hind feet with flaps of skin between each toe. According to Harvard University's Dr Tonia Hsieh, a large upward force is produced each time the lizard slaps its feet on the water surface. It is this force that keeps the lizard's body above the water surface - that is, until the lizard tires and falls into the water, where it will swim and/or dive with ease. It also follows that younger basilisks can usually run further than older ones, with the former being capable of running about 10 to 20 meters on water without sinking. (Jesus Christ Lizard, World Wildlife News.)
I don't know about you, but I found this lizard to be amazing. Imagine being able to generate enough force with your feet to run on a water surface! Here's an awesome clip from YouTube (National Geographic channel) of the basilisk running on water, as well as a bit of information on the lizard's diet:
Watch it because:
1) it will amaze you to no end (well, it amazed me at least!), and
2) as can be seen from the photo above, it really is quite hilarious to watch.
Enjoy!
References:
Green Basilisk Lizard, National Geographic
How Lizards Walk on Water, BBC News
Jesus Christ Lizard, World Wildlife News