Pat Spain
Pat Spain is a naturalist and animal enthusiast, as well as a self-described crypto-nerd, even though he is reluctant to call himself a cryptozoologist.
“I hesitantly call myself a cryptozoologist,” he said. “One, because of the stigma that’s attached in the scientific community, and two, because I’m not out there every day doing it.”
Three years ago, Spain entered Animal Planet’s “King of the Jungle 2,” a competition to decide a host for a new nature show. After a second-place finish, Spain created a new show that combined his love for nature and indie-punk music.
The result? “Nature Calls,” an edgy nature show that shatters the antiquated mold for wilderness programs. Since then Spain and his crew have filmed across the United States and in Costa Rica.
His interest in cryptozoology spawned when he was just eight years old, when he found a water moccasin farther north than they had been known to exist. He quickly realized that the science books didn’t always have all the answers.
Spain said that his love for cryptozoology has often drawn ridicule from friends and co-workers, like the time a crew member heckled him while filming in Arizona.
“When I even mentioned that we might look for the Bigfoot that’s been spotted around Texas and Arizona, God, the kid would not leave me alone for a couple days about it,” he said.
