Southwest New Mexico "Nightstalker" (monitor)

[D. Scott]

I was watching Monsters in America last night and there was a story of a creature of some sort called the "Nightstalker" that was terrorizing a family in a rural area of New Mexico. The thing was bold and tried to tear out the air conditioner to get to one of the family members. There were claw marks found also on the house, car and a rabbit cage. The father went after this thing and shot at it but it just ran off.

I never heard of this alleged monster/demon/cryptid. Anyone in this area know anything about it? It was a good watch and scary if anything.

Phantoms and Monsters: Pulse of the Paranormal

[biscuitmom]

Probably a very large lizard, in the monitor lizard or komodo dragon family. They're carnivorous, aggressive, grow very large (up to 10 feet or more), can sit or stand upright for small periods of time, and according to one commentator on the youtube site the claw marks are similar to ones he's seen left by a monitor lizard.

There are probably some varieties that are indigenous to the area, or perhaps someone across the border in Mexico had a pet that escaped.

[D. Scott]

Whoa! Komodo dragons can reach 10 feet! I never knew these reptiles get that large. One of them lurking around the house is scary in itself. Certainly could be an explanation.

[Rance]

I don't think they live in New Mexico tho. Probably a Chupacabra.

[Ken S.]

I would go with someone's exotic pet escaped/released.