Basilisk lizards have garnered the nickname Jesus Lizards over the years for their ability to "run" across the surface of water. However, these fast little guys don't rely on miracles, say scientists. New footage of the lizard, filmed at 2,000 frames per second, will air on the BBC on Monday October 19, revealing the science behind the lizards' water run. From the
Simon Blakeney, a producer who had filmed the lizard for the BBC told Matt Walker from BBC Earth News, "Because [the lizards] run so fast they create a bubble as their feet hit the water and then they push off from this bubble before it bursts," says Blakeney. By balancing and pushing off from these bubbles, the lizard is able to "walk" on water.
The 2-4cm lizards only know one speed—full throttle—and this forces their bodies upright as they sprint across the water. In an older ...
