Basiliscus basiliscus is a lizard in the
suborder Iguania. It is such an interesting lizard that it has two common names: "Jesus Christ lizard" and "basilisk". The lizard has large feet with webbing and can run very fast, so it is able to run on the surface of water before sinking, which is an effective way of getting away from predators
The first name "Jesus
Christ lizard" came about because it has the ability to run on
water, like Jesus had the ability to walk on water in the
biblical story.
The second name
"basilisk" has an even more interesting story. A basilisk is also a demonic creature in Greek mythology. It’s
a mix of a rooster, dragon, and serpent. The egg of a basilisk is laid by a
rooster and incubated by a toad. It is so deadly that it can kill you just by
looking in your eyes. And the only way it can
be killed is to have it look in its own reflection.
Obviously there are
contradicting portrayals of this lizard.
One culture relates it to Jesus Christ and one relates it to a demon. The basilisk has the “unnatural” power to
walk on water. Whether you view it as a miracle
or a something to fear, is up to you.
-Chelsea Smith
Herps in Society and Culture
2 comments:
Or you can kill it with the sword of Gryiffindor...
This makes me wonder why this amazing lizard was associated with the mythological basilisk. Running on water does seem supernatural, but it's pretty different from the horrible powers attributed to the mythological beast.
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