Teen’s Viral Instagram Account Explores the City’s Rarest Wildlife – San Diego Magazine

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. Photo Credit: Cole Novak 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
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