Nature Nuggett – The Basilisks

Closely related to the iguanas, the basilisk lizards of the rainforests of Central and South America are never found far from water. Several species, varying in color from bright green to gray and sporting stripes, are commonly found along the shores of lakes, rivers, and streams where they live amongst rocks and in trees. Male basilisks have spectacular crest-like sails on their heads, backs, and tails, which they use to impress females. Basilisks range from 2 to 2.5 feet long when adult and are excellent climbers and swimmers. They can stay submerged under water for up to 30 minutes. Their diet consists of plant material, fruit, insects, and small vertebrates. When disturbed, basilisks run upright on their hind legs using their tails as a counterweight.

The most amazing thing about basilisks is their ability to walk on water for short distances. When disturbed, these lizards flee across the surface of the water as readily as they do across land. On water, an average sized basilisk weighing 80 grams (about 3 ounces) can run at a speed of 5 feet a second for 15 feet or more before sinking and continuing its flight by swimming. Small individuals can travel much further—up to 60 feet—across the surface of the water. The basilisks are able to do this because of their fast limb speed and large hind feet with long fringed toes that allow them to take advantage of the surface tension of the water. The toe fringes are special flaps of skin that open up to increase the surface area of the foot on the water relative to the lizard’s weight. As the foot pushes down into the water, it creates a hole, trapping a pocket of air which holds the lizard up. This motion produces 110 to 225 percent of the force needed to support the lizard’s weight. All this would be lost if the lizard was not fast enough to pull its foot back out of the hole before it refilled with water and created drag.

To be able to walk on water, an averaged sized man would have to run 65 miles an hour and expend 15 times more energy than a human is able to expend. But one man can and did walk on water. “As a fond mother watches the child she has in kindness corrected, so the compassionate Master watched his disciples; and when their hearts were subdued, their unholy ambition quelled, and they humbly prayed for help, it was given them. At the very moment they believed themselves lost, a flash of lightning revealed the figure of a man walking toward them upon the water. An unspeakable terror seized them. The hands that had grasped the oars with muscle like iron, relaxed their hold, and fell powerless by their sides. The boat rocked at the will of the waves, while their eyes were riveted upon this vision of a man stepping firmly upon the white-capped billows.

“They thought it must be a spirit, which omened their immediate destruction. Jesus calmly advanced as though he would pass them, but they recognize his form, and feel that he will not leave them in their distress. They cry out, supplicating his help! The figure turns! It is their beloved Master, whose well-known voice speaks, silencing their fear, ‘Be of good cheer. It is I, be not afraid.’ [Matthew 14:27.] Were ever words so welcome, so reassuring as these! The disciples are speechless with joy. Their apprehensions are gone. The storm is forgotten. They hail Jesus as their Deliverer!” The Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 2, 268, 269.

David Arbour writes from his home in De Queen, Arkansas. He may be contacted by e-mail at: landmarks@stepstolife.org.