Known as the king of the serpents, the basilisk (from ‘basiliskos’ meaning little king) is a legendary reptile known to be able to kill with just a glance. The basilisk is referred to as the ‘king’ because of the crown shaped crest on its head– though it has swapped it out for a party hat this festive season!
This woodcut is from Ulyssis Aldrovandi … Serpentum, et draconum historiæ libri duo (1640) by Italian naturalist Ulisse Aldrovandi.
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