--- title: "Florida Scientists Concerned About Army of Invasive “Jesus Christ” Lizards" description: "The brown basilisk, known as the \"Jesus Christ Lizard\" for its ability to run on water, is expanding its \"army.\" Scientists are ringing the alarm bells." date: "2023-02-26" modified: "2023-02-26" authors: - name: "Maggie Harrison Dupré" job_title: "Senior Staff Writer" link: "https://futurism.com/authors/mharrison" url: "https://futurism.com/the-byte/florida-scientists-army-jesus-christ-lizards" categories: - "Science & Energy" tags: - "florida" - "invasive species" - "reptiles" - "the digest" --- # Florida Scientists Concerned About Army of Invasive “Jesus Christ” Lizards ![The brown basilisk, known as the "Jesus Christ Lizard" for its ability to run on water, is expanding its "army." Scientists are ringing the alarm bells.]() *\Image: Getty / Futurism\* ## Jesus Christ Superlizard Yet [another invasive species]() is causing a stir in Florida. And this time, the critter's name evokes a certain holiness. The brown basilisk, commonly known as the "Jesus Christ Lizard" for its ability to run on water, has cometh — and according to scientists, Floridians should *not* wanteth. University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural (UF IFA) Sciences Extension Agent Ken Gioeli warned several local outlets that on top of the potential for habitat destruction, the elysian reptiles, which apparently love to snack on similarly invasive, often disease-bearing mosquitos, might pose an indirect risk to human health. "There is ongoing research on the potential for basilisks to be hosts for these mosquito-borne diseases," Gioeli [told Florida's *Fox13*](), "so there's a possible human health impact there." ## Reptilian Crusaders Finding a loose JC Lizard, which is native to Central and South America, in the North American state isn't entirely shocking. Per *Florida Today*, they were first seen in Florida's wild back in 1963, likely stemming from escaped or discarded pets. But their population has continued to grow since, and according to the University of Florida scientists, they're showing up farther North than ever before, officially making their way into the decidedly Northern city of Gainesville, where UF is located. "It's almost like an army," Gioeli [explained to *Florida Today*](). "The army of basilisks are moving forward. And the population is just going to expand." ## Wartime Casualty At the end of the day, though, in regard to human health, the Jesus Lizards aren't particularly aggressive. And again, the risk is indirect. They're also much smaller than invasive iguanas, which sometimes [die destroying energy transformers]() and [battle dogs](). But the righteous reptiles, [according to IFA research](), love themselves some native butterflies and other local insects, an appetite that could damage native Floridian habitats. Thus, as with injurious invasive species like [the lanternfly](), they sadly might be better off sent to the metaphorical farm. **READ MORE:** [*What Are the 'Jesus Lizards' in Florida? Get to Know the Brown Basilisk That Walks on Water*]() \[*Florida Today*\] **More on invasive species:** [*Authorities Euthanize World’s Largest Toad*]() ## Author At Futurism, I've reported extensively on the rise of AI as a cultural and business force shaping the media industry, and more broadly how those dynamics are changing how we all consume and share information and relate to one another. I'm also fascinated by public health policy and ethics, the role of emerging tech in politics and governance — and the powerful people and forces at those intersections — climate change, and the environment. My investigation on Sports Illustrated's use of AI-generated authors with fictional biographies won a 2024 Mirror Award for "Best Story on Media Coverage of Artificial Intelligence in Journalism and the Media" from Syracuse University's SI Newhouse School, I contributed to Niemen Lab's 2025 Predictions for Journalism series, and I've discussed my work for Futurism during appearances on NPR, CNN, the BBC, the CBC, and more. I grew up in rural Pennsylvania and attended the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where I played Division I field hockey for the Minutewomen as a midfielder. Since then, I've lived in New Orleans, Louisiana and Manhattan, New York. I spend my free time running, reading, perusing archival fashion, and searching for the world’s best negroni. I also have a debonair tuxedo cat, Westley, who's named after "The Princess Bride." ### Author social links [Bluesky]()