basilisk

Central and South American lizard, genus Basiliscus. It is about 50 cm/20 in long and weighs about 90 g/0.2 lb. Its rapid speed (more than 2 m/6.6 ft per second) and the formation of air pockets around the feet enable it to run short distances across the surface of water. The male has a well-developed crest on the head, body, and tail.

basilisk

In classical Greek and Roman mythology, a reptile whose gaze and breath were lethal. It was said to be hatched by a toad or serpent from the eggs of a cock, and to die if it saw its reflection.