Other Origins: Eastern Europe, Western Russia, the Baltics.

Other Names: cockatrice.

Element: Fire

Appearance and Temperament: The Basilisk has the body and head of a huge golden snake, but on its head sits a red comb like that of a rooster.

 

It also has two arms which it uses to increase the speed of its slithering and to hold the front half of itself upright. It is highly poisonous and is reputed to hate humans.

Time Most Active: All year.

Lore: The Basilisk was considered by the Greeks to be the most deadly creature alive.

 

It can kill by looking at, touching, or breathing on a human being or animal. Those who have tried to slay it are killed instantly by the release of the poisonous gases which make up the inside of the creature.

The only animals which can destroy it are the crows, the rooster, the weasel, and the mongoose. It can also be killed by being shown its own hideous reflection in a mirror.

 

Killing a Basilisk has an instant impact on its numbers, because it reproduce slowly, taking nine full years for its eggs to hatch.

 

Greek mythology tells us that the eggs are laid by enchanted roosters and then hatched by toads.