6 Incredible Animals That Can Walk on Water: Nature’s Amazing Marvels

Walking on water has often been associated with myths, religious miracles, and superhuman feats.

However, nature has gifted certain animals with the ability to walk or run on water. This incredible ability isn’t magic; rather, it’s the result of evolution, specialized anatomy, and unique survival strategies.

From insects to reptiles, a variety of species use this remarkable skill for hunting, escaping predators, or navigating their watery environments.

Here, we dive into the fascinating world of animals that can walk on water, exploring the science behind their extraordinary feats.

Water Striders- Masters of Surface Tension

Water striders, often called pond skaters, are among the most iconic animals that walk on water. These insects, belonging to the family Gerridae, have long, slender legs that help distribute their body weight over a large surface area.

The key to their ability to walk on water lies in their specialized legs, which are covered in fine, water-repellent hairs.

By using their front legs for rowing and their middle and hind legs for steering, water striders can glide across the water’s surface with incredible agility. The water’s surface tension is strong enough to support their light weight, allowing them to move without sinking.

Basilisk Lizard- The ‘Jesus Lizard’ That Runs on Water

The basilisk lizard, also known as the “Jesus lizard” due to its uncanny ability to run across water, is another remarkable creature in the world of water-walkers. Found in Central and South America, the basilisk lizard can sprint across water at speeds of up to 5 feet per second. This remarkable feat is achieved by utilizing its long, fringed toes.

Brazilian Pygmy Gecko- Tiny Reptiles That Walk on Water

The Brazilian pygmy gecko is one of the smallest reptiles on Earth, measuring just a few centimeters long. Due to their tiny size, these geckos can use surface tension to walk on water.

This means they do not break the water’s surface and remain afloat, much like a water strider.

In addition to their small size, the Brazilian pygmy gecko has a unique feature: hydrophobic skin. This specialized skin repels water, allowing the gecko to stay dry as it walks across the surfaces of ponds, rivers, and even small puddles.

Flying Fish- Gliding Through the Air and Walking on Water

Flying fish are famous for their ability to leap from the water and glide through the air. This incredible skill helps them evade predators like dolphins and larger fish. However, what many people don’t know is that flying fish can also “walk” on water, albeit in a different manner.

When fleeing a predator, a flying fish can gain enough speed to leap out of the water, creating a short glide through the air. Upon landing back in the water, their large, wing-like fins allow them to skim along the surface before leaping again.

Though not true walking, this unique form of gliding and skipping across the water is an adaptation to escape danger.

Mosquitoes- Tiny Masters of Walking on Water

Mosquitoes are not only capable of walking on water but are also highly efficient at navigating the water surface during their early life stages.

As larvae, mosquitoes spend most of their time swimming and hanging out at the water’s surface, where they hatch and develop.

Their small size and specialized leg structures allow them to walk on water effortlessly. The setae, tiny hair-like structures on their legs, prevent them from sinking by creating a barrier between their legs and the water’s surface.

Snails- Surprising Water Walkers

Snails, particularly those of the aquatic variety, possess an intriguing ability to move across water surfaces.

While not capable of walking in the traditional sense, certain species of snails use surface tension to glide across water. By creating ripples with their muscular foot, they generate enough propulsion to move along the water’s surface.

In 2008, UCLA researcher Eric Lauga and his team discovered that snails use the ripples they create to push against the water and move forward.

This unique method of locomotion helps them navigate through their watery environments, especially when they need to avoid predators or search for food.

Why Do These Animals Walk on Water?

The ability to walk on water serves various purposes for different species. For some, it is a survival mechanism that helps them avoid predators, while others use it as a hunting strategy to capture prey or reach areas that would otherwise be unreachable.

For example, the basilisk lizard’s ability to run across water helps it escape from predators such as snakes and birds of prey. Similarly, water striders use their agility to capture small insects on the water’s surface, which serve as their primary food source.

How Animals Walk on Water

The key to an animal’s ability to walk on water lies in the concept of surface tension. Surface tension occurs when the molecules at the surface of a liquid are more tightly bonded than those below the surface, creating a “film” that resists external forces.

This is why small, lightweight animals like water striders and pygmy geckos can take advantage of it.

Insects and small reptiles often have hydrophobic (water-repelling) surfaces that prevent water from adhering to them. Additionally, the specialized legs and feet of these creatures help distribute their weight evenly, preventing them from breaking the surface tension of the water.

Conclusion

From the nimble water striders to the awe-inspiring basilisk lizard, the world of animals that walk on water is full of wonder.

These creatures have evolved remarkable strategies to navigate their watery environments, from using surface tension to creating air pockets beneath their feet.

The science behind these feats is a testament to nature’s ingenuity, and the adaptations seen in these species highlight the incredible diversity of life on Earth.

Whether for survival, hunting, or mating, these animals continue to captivate us with their extraordinary abilities, proving that even the most impossible-seeming feats can be achieved with the right combination of anatomy and evolution.