Basilisk Lizard, White-headed Grebe, Water Strider… are animals capable of running on water.
In addition to animals with incredible camouflage skills or those that carry deadly toxins, Mother Nature has also “created” many extraordinary species that can “run like the wind” on the surface of the water. Let’s take a look at a few unique animals with such abilities in the article below.
1. Basilisk Lizard
The Basilisk Lizard, also known as the Jesus Lizard, possesses the incredible ability to… run on water. This unique lizard primarily inhabits the tropical forests of Central America, hiding in tree hollows to warm its body temperature.
When startled or sensing a threat, the Basilisk Lizard often leaps into a stream or river to escape. These lizards run very quickly, capable of reaching speeds of 8.4 km/h, and sometimes up to 11 km/h on the water’s surface.
The reason the Basilisk Lizard can run so fast on water is due to a thin membrane between its toes. When running, the toes spread wide apart, creating a larger surface area and air pockets that enhance surface tension, preventing them from sinking.
By running on its hind legs and using its tail for balance, the lizard can travel quite a distance. Until it becomes exhausted, the Basilisk Lizard will leap into the water and swim to shore.
2. Water Strider
The Water Strider (scientific name Gerris remigis) primarily lives in rivers, ponds, and lakes, and is considered one of the most advanced species in nature regarding its ability to inhabit the water’s surface.
Its long, slender legs allow the Water Strider to easily move both on land and across the water’s surface. Under a microscope, experts have discovered thousands of tiny hair-like structures surrounding the Water Strider’s legs, each about 50 micrometers long.
These hairs fluff out into fine bundles, “trapping” air inside, creating a cushion that separates the legs from the water’s surface and enhances the animal’s buoyancy.
This air cushion also helps the Water Strider move quickly and regain balance on the water, even in less favorable weather conditions like storms…
Even though the Water Strider’s legs can create depressions up to 4mm, they still do not break the water’s surface. This extraordinary buoyancy allows the creature to jump across the water’s surface, much like a rubber ball.
Moreover, the Water Strider can propel itself at speeds up to a hundred times its body length in a second. This speed is equivalent to a 1.8m tall person “swimming” at 644 km/h.
3. White-headed Grebe
The White-headed Grebe (scientific name Podiceps nigricollis nigricollis) is a small diving bird residing mainly in North America, Asia, and Europe. The White-headed Grebe has narrow wings and thick, waterproof feathers. With these characteristics, the White-headed Grebe can “immerse” itself in water or float on the surface.
The beak of the White-headed Grebe is not too long, allowing it to easily catch crustaceans and insects. Its feet are relatively large, with a webbing that connects the front toes and a small webbing on the back toes.
This webbing acts like a “paddle”, allowing the White-headed Grebe to move steadily or walk on the water’s surface. Adult White-headed Grebes in breeding season have a plumage of gray, with a darker head and white belly… measuring about 50cm in length and weighing 1.4kg.
Let’s enjoy the sight of White-headed Grebes frolicking on the water through the video below.
4. Water Mosquito
As larvae, the mosquito species known scientifically as Pontomyia hides in brackish water, feeding on algae and decaying wood. When they mature, male water mosquitoes move across the water’s surface by standing upright on their hind legs and using their front legs like tiny paddles to glide forward.
Female mosquitoes lack both wings and legs; they simply float on the water’s surface and wait for male mosquitoes to come and carry them along. Further research has shown that the legs of water mosquitoes are structurally similar to those of water striders — covered in thousands of tiny hairs that trap air inside, creating a cushion that separates their legs from the water. This allows the mosquitoes to float easily and move across the surface of the water.
