The Jesus Christ Lizard

The name for Basilisk lizards derives from the Greek word “basiliskos” (little king) and the name derives from the “crown” that the legendary basilisk monsters had on their heads.  In European legend, the basilisk was the king of the serpents, able to kill with only a glance.

The name “Jesus Christ Lizard” comes from the fact that basilisks actually can run on water. See the video below. 

Running at about 1.5m/4.9ft per second on webbed toes, the lizards can run about 4.5 meters before sinking into the water.  There are four species in the genus Basiliscus.  I believe that the lizard in the video is classified as Basiliscus basiliscus.

The reference to Jesus comes from the lizard’s ability to run on water and references Matthew 14:22-33.

“And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away.  And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.  But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.  And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.  And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.

 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.  But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.    

And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?  And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.  Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.”

Contrast Jesus with the Jesus Lizard offered by the world.  The Jesus Lizard was a “noise rock” (their term, not mine) band formed in Texas in 1987.  They broke up in 1999 and then briefly regrouped in 2008.  In the video below, the aggressive and confrontational band comes up against an aggressive and confrontational audience.  Someone in the crowd hits the singer, David Yow, with a beer bottle.  Be warned that the people in this video are very free with their use of profanities.  

The Jesus Lizard