In 2007, a Fresno resident, known only by the name Jose, wanted to know why his dogs were constantly barking outside at night.
So, he mounted a camera. While he was watching the footage in real time on a CCTV monitor, he saw something horrifying.
This single, grainy video sparked an internet sensation, the Fresno Nightcrawlers.
And as more people began to share similar videos, this digital Cryptid took their first steps.
Today, videos of the Fresno Nightcrawlers have millions of YouTube views and hundreds of postings on Reddit and so much collectible merchandise online, all supporting a growing fandom.
Like Bigfoot and Nessie before it, it's the mysterious nature of the original images that adds to the appeal. It's undeniable this footage is eerie.
And that brings us to the questions that keep us talking about them. Is this real or a hoax?
And how does a single 20-second clip launch an entire legend?
The Fresno Nightcrawlers began with a single blurry photo, much like this one. This picture is known as the "Cottingley Fairies Photo." It's from a series of five photographs taken in 1917 by two young cousins, Elsie and Francis, in Cottingley England.
It shows the girls posing with what appear to be real fairies. The photographs captivated the public and sparked debates about their authenticity.
