The Insane Biology of: The Jesus Christ Lizard

Images Courtesy of Getty Images

Thanks to our Patreon Supporters:
Eric Ypsilantis
Robert Thompson
Keith Skipper

Credits:
Writer/Narrator: Stephanie Sammann
Illustrator: Jacek Ambrożewski

REFERENCES
[1] O’Shea, M. (2010). Lizards of the world. New Holland.
[2] Roach, J. (2021, May 3). How “jesus lizards” walk on water. Animals.
[4]
[5] Blickhan, R. (1989). The spring-mass model for running and hopping. Journal of Biomechanics,
[6] Semroc, J. (n.d.). Cleveland Museum of Natural history. Cleveland Museum of Natural History.

[whiplashfatigue]

Reminds me of the old pilot’s saying: “Helicopters don’t fly, they beat the air into submission.”

[thejesuschrist]

I’m glad I don’t have to go as fast to make it happen. It’s not easy running in sandals.

[larredderral]

Imagine actual Jesus walking in the surface of water rotating his leg like that

[jensphiliphohmann]

Fun fact: Jamie Hyneman once proved that he can motorcycle on water at least for a short time and distance until, due to lack of thrust, the motorbike loses too much speed and sinks.

[joesaiditstrue]

This woman does the best wildlife narration on youtube. Her video on the inland taipan was fascinating

[pinkace]

I was born and raised in Panama and I saw these lil guys everywhere! the sound they make when they splash on the water is as unique as everything else. Sounds like very quick clapping by the world's tiniest hands haha

[robertfaler]

We also have animals that can give virgin births. Now we just need to find one that can turn water to wine and we are all set.

[Ashley-wfqi]

fun fact, they're called the "jesus christ" lizard because the first person to discover them said "jesus christ" upon seeing this behavior

[mmllrjr]

Lizard: My name is Lizard, and I can walk on water!

Surprised friend: Jesus Christ, Lizard!

[iodicacid]

Babe wake up, another "The Insane Biology of" video just dropped.

[terramater]

They're sooo cool! Some crabs also have this "superpower." Our crew found them on the coast of Brazil, where wild waves and cunning predators mean serious survival skills are in order. The Sally Lightfoot crabs adapted to breathe on land and escape eels and octopuses by literally walking on water.

[AaronALAI]

I still can't get over the quality and research these videos have...wow what a gem of a channel!!

[angeloaquino]

Best title ever.

Peter would've never believed it.

[MrHugemoth]

I used to have one as a pet. They don't make good pets because they're very skittish and very fast.

[AifDaimon]

love the ATLA reference: "as they are air benders"

[sforza]

Too bad there wasn’t a clip of the lizard running across the water where we could hear how it sounds. I keep thinking it would sound like a rock being skipped across water. Lol

[andrewstrongman]

I found the continual use of "walk/walking on water" extremely irritating. The basilisk can hardly even be said to run on water, as it relies on a rapidly cycling paddling motion to propel itself.

[GeorgeSchumpf]

Our best intelligent design engineering doesn't even begin to hold a flickering candle to the intelligent design engineering in nature

[YochevedDesigns]

This lizard might not kill you with a look, but that side eye is judging the hell out of you. 😮

[istvansipos]

as a gamer, I cannot approve this very nerfed basilisk