Basilisk There are a few types of creatures known as basilisks in the " Warcraft " universe . Azeroth basilisks . Basilisks are heavily - armored , six - legged lizards which are related to the crocolisk . Basilisk stomachs are capable of dissolving nearly anything . Because of this , basilisks have a fondness for eating crystals and rocks from the area they inhabit . This not only makes their hides extremely hard , but gives them a unique power . They ' re best known for their ability to petrify a person with their stare . Due to this , basilisk parts are often sought by mage s and alchemists for study . These powerful , enchanted creatures are something of an anomaly throughout the land of Azeroth . Basilisks are large - thick bodied reptiles with six stumpy legs and a scaly hide studded with shimmering crystals . Their eyes shine with a pale , eerie glow . The basilisks of Azeroth long had a fondness for the legendary " singing crystals " that grow in Stranglethorn Vale . The creatures built their nests near the crystal beds and even rubbed against them . In time , basilisks were born with chunks of crystal growing from their hides . The crystals ' mystical nature gives basilisks great power against any would invade their lairs . While gentle enough when left alone , basilisks will defend their nests with great ferocity . In addition to biting and clawing , basilisks will focus the power of the crystals in their hide to plunge intruders into slumber , lull their prey to sleep or even turn them to stone . As a side effect of eating the crystals , the Basilisk have mutated : the mystical crystals now grow from their scaly hides , giving them even greater power against their enemies . If that attack should fail , basilisks unleash their petrifying gaze upon their foes . Basilisks are possessed of barely more than animal intelligence , but can put prey to sleep or even turn enemies to stone ( if they aren ' t hungry ) . While fierce fighters , basilisks do not exhibit cruel or violent tendencies . They defend their territories and hunt other creatures , even sapient ones , for food . Basilisks ' hides range from dark chestnut shades of brown to mossy green and ocean blue . Males tend to be larger and brighter than females . Immature basilisks usually stand as tall and wide as an adult boar . Full - grown basilisks grow to 10 feet in length and weigh up to 2 , 500 pounds . After mating , a basilisk pair remains together for several months . The female buries her eggs in warm earth and rotting plant matter ; she guards the eggs while her mate hunts and brings her food . After the young hatch , the male departs . A basilisk stays at range and targets its enemies with sleep . Once its prey enters range , the basilisk switches to its petrifying gaze attack . When the enemy reaches a distance of 15 or so from the basilisk , the basilisk charges . Basilisks are ferocious fighters but not suicidal ; they retreat when the odds turn against them . Outland basilisks . Another type of creature native to Outland is also known as a basilisk . Unlike a normal basilisk , their skin comes in smooth bright colors , and they have three glowing eyes . These basilisks are commonly found in various zones throughout Outland , often inhabiting the cracked edges of the world . Their notable drops include Chunk o ' Basilisk and Dampscale Basilisk Eye . Hunter pet . Though hunter s can respec their pet basilisks into Cunning or Ferocity , they are inherently Tenacity . In addition to the abilities that come standard with all pets ( and ) and those given to their natural or retrained specialization , all basilisks are given the following : Subspecies . The subspecies below can be tamed by hunters . Manual of Monsters . In " Manual of Monsters " Appendix Three another type of basilisk is given , the Ice Basilisk , however , the validity of the source is disputed . Named . " Mobs with levels are tamable by hunters . " Myth . In European bestiaries and legends , a basilisk is a legendary reptile reputed to be king of serpents and said to have the power of causing death by a single glance . The basilisk is popular in some forms of fantasy ( a large number of readers will recognize the major antagonist from " Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets " ) , in some cases as a traditional snake , in others as a sort of lizard . Though it is generally believed that basilisks are capable of reproducing normally , it is possible to create a basilisk through a sort of magical ritual — this species was not thought to breed naturally , the arcane offspring of a chicken and a toad . This parentage created the composite " cockatrice " image of a serpent with certain elements of chicken biology . As a rule of thumb , " basilisk " refers to the creature itself , while " cockatrice " refers to the composite chicken / serpent imagery . The Basilisk ' s gaze is fatal when met directly , but causes petrification ( remaining as still as stone , but still alive ) if met indirectly . In a number of modern fantasy , the Basilisk ' s gaze always turns a being to stone , in the same manner as a Gorgon .