The city lights of San Diego fade as Gannon “Chris” Cruz Stephen ventures into Mission Trails on the hunt for hidden inhabitants. The paths empty, night awakens, and somewhere in the dark, creatures stir. The 19-year-old biology student’s flashlight beam cuts through the brush.
“Searching for rare snakes is a great way to improve your cardio,” Cruz Stephen jokes.
A lifelong “herper”—someone who seeks reptiles, amphibians, and insects—Cruz Stephen’s obsession started at age 4, when he began catching lizards in his backyard by himself. Growing up, he would take the bus to the far ends of the county, from Palomar Mountain to La Jolla’s tidepools, for late-night, critter-chasing missions. “None of [my family] are interested in wildlife,” he says. “They won’t even hold a scorpion or anything like that.”
In 2022, he decided to share his adventures on social media (@wildlifegannon). His posts offer a mix of education and entertainment, Cruz Stephen emerging as a sort of Gen Z Steve Irwin for the California coast. Today, he has more than 65,000 followers, thanks to a breakout video of him catching an octopus in a Starbucks cup that topped a million views.
Beyond social media, Cruz Stephen has worked with Cabrillo National Monument and Peru’s Fauna Forever, spending weeks in the Amazon rainforest documenting species and habitats. Set to graduate in 2027, he hopes to become a field biologist.
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Cruz Stephen with a red diamond rattlesnake
Mid-hike, he encounters a red diamond rattlesnake—San Diego County’s largest snake species. Where most people might hoof it as quickly as possible, Cruz Stephen approaches his favorite animal with curious glee. “In San Diego, there are four species of rattlesnakes. If it doesn’t have a rattle, they’re harmless,” he explains as the viper slides into the night.
Cruz Stephen holding a great basin fence lizard
While some watch his videos for the shock factor of a kid snatching centipedes and eels with his bare hands, Cruz Stephen’s goal is to inspire appreciation for and conservation of creatures most people fear. “You don’t have to become a wildlife biologist to appreciate nature,” he says. “Everyone should learn about San Diego’s creatures and take the time to find them.”
