The Jesus Christ lizard runs as a biped across water and,
as a result, this lizard has derived its name from the
bible. It can run at 1.5m (4.8 ft) per second for about 4.5m
(14.75 ft) on water. It then sinks and swims. It has large
hind feet and a flap between its toes. This flap creates a
larger surface and a pocket of air.
The stride is divided into three phases: the slap, the
stroke and the recovery. During the slap, its foot moves
vertically downward. During the stroke, the lizards foot
moves backward. And during recovery, the lizard's foot moves
up and out of the water. It is in this final phase that the
foot returns to the start position.
Younger lizards can run further on water than older
lizards and the younger lizard can run further distances
too.
In captivity, it can live up to eight
years. However, it dies much earlier in the
wild.
Jesus Christ Lizard Food
The Jesus Christ lizard eats small vertebrates such as
birds, snakes and fish. It also eats flowers and insects.
The insects include grasshoppers, spiders, mealworms,
Zoophobia, and crickets.
