Fresno Nightcrawler is a cryptid<\/a> \u2014 an animal claimed but not proven to exist in the wild \u2014 that has gained so much popularity online in recent years it has joined the ranks of Bigfoot, the Loch Ness Monster and the Mothman.<\/p>\nHistory of a mystery<\/p>\n
The cryptid\u2019s origins go back to 2007, when a Fresnan who identified himself only as Jose brought surveillance footage of his front lawn first to the Univision television station and then to paranormal investigator Victor Camacho.<\/p>\n
Another video from 2011 captured two white figures with long legs walking across Yosemite Lakes Park. These two videos sparked the rise of speculation over the cryptid, inspiring even more creators on YouTube to discuss and feature the internet-age legend.<\/p>\n
More sightings have been claimed, but these days there is more activity with the Fresno Nightcrawler in merchandising and the art world.<\/p>\n
Laura Splotch is a local artist and lover of all things cryptid, creepy and weird. She features various cryptids in her artwork, with a soft spot for the Fresno Nightcrawler because of its local connection.<\/p>\n
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Fresno resident Laura Spolotch is an artist and cryptid enthusiast who uses the Fresno Nightcrawler as a subject in her work. Photo contributed<\/p>\n
\u201cThese really intrigued me because they\u2019re from Fresno,\u201d Splotch said. \u201cThey look unique and different. It\u2019s a weird thing to fake, but if they\u2019re real, that\u2019s even weirder.\u201d<\/p>\n
In May 2022, Splotch attended a Fresno ArtHop event celebrating the local cryptid, where she bought Nightcrawler earrings and stickers.<\/p>\n
Splotch likens the Fresno Nightcrawler to the Chupacabra, a creature of Mexican folklore known for killing and feeding on the blood of goats. She thinks the Fresno cryptid could possibly be some type of animal, with the legend growing from there.<\/p>\n
Worldwide appeal<\/p>\n
Artists across the world have taken their own creative liberties with the Fresno Nightcrawler, depicting it in all sorts of ways \u2014 from serious and terrifying to cute and lighthearted.<\/p>\n
Eduardo Vald\u00e9s-Hevia, a digital artist from Spain, has been passionate about myths and folklore since he was a child. He creates images and stories about cryptids and other mythical creatures, including the Fresno Nightcrawler.<\/p>\n
He said the Fresno Nightcrawler is unique in the world of cryptid folklore because you can trace the origins to a certain time and place, as opposed to the myths of Europe, which are hundreds or thousands of years old and harder to trace.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn this case, you can clearly see it started in this certain year, with this certain person, telling this story, and then it grows from that,\u201d Vald\u00e9s-Hevia said. \u201cIt\u2019s very different from the myths I\u2019m used to.\u201d<\/p>\n
A big appeal of the Fresno Nightcrawler, Vald\u00e9s-Hevia said, is that it is cute, which scores a lot of internet points and lends itself to being made into stickers and plush dolls. When it comes to cryptids, he can\u2019t think of a more recent one that has reached the popularity of the Nightcrawler.<\/p>\n
Vald\u00e9s-Hevia believes the Fresno Nightcrawler is more famous outside of the Fresno area.<\/p>\n
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