Howdy My name is Frank Robb I catch alligators for the state of Florida and have done so for 25 years this coming year. I was asked to come to Chicago in July and catch Chance the Snapper, a gator in a city park.
I since have a coloring book I released in Nov. And a Bobble head that came out this Month. Must admit I had no idea what Reddit was and ended up here from a post from a group called Today I learned, which was about myself and chance. Lol Anyhow...Merry Christmas and many blessings to you each and all! Realalligatorrobb EEARSS.org

Comments: 129 • Responses: 59  • Date: 

Bed_human36 karma

How did you get into the Gator life?

ALLIGATORROBB33 karma

Learned the trade from my uncle

justscottaustin35 karma

Did you choose the swamp life, or did the swamp life choose you?

ALLIGATORROBB43 karma

Both...family has loved the outdoors forever...grew up land surveying with pop and uncle caught gators...wilderness in the blood...praise God

punkrockhippie18 karma

What’s your theory on how he came to Chicago? And if he wasn’t discovered, would he have survived the winter?

ALLIGATORROBB40 karma

There was a open pipe into the sewer on the south east side of the lake...so possible if he found that...my understanding from law enforcement is that they come across them in drug house raids a couple times a year

ElDuderino148217 karma

Baby alligators cost about $75 each in the illegal reptile trade here in the Chicago area. There used to be a shady reptile swap meet that happened twice monthly that used to get shut down all the time. At one point I saw baby Nile crocs being sold there for $250 each. The ownership of that swap meet changed hands after the guy who used to run it died, and they supposedly cleaned up their act, but a lot of the original vendors still sell there.

ALLIGATORROBB10 karma

Wow

ep3ep38 karma

Nile crocs

These things are terrifying. 14 feet long, 1000 pounds and can swim at 20 mph. That's a whole lot of nope.

ALLIGATORROBB8 karma

Y'all ever consider making a call about that? CACC or ur DNR would enjoy knowing this

chappinn15 karma

Ok, let's say I suddenly find myself in a situation where I need to catch a gator since it won't stop hanging out in my garden and it won't go away. Any pointers?

ALLIGATORROBB32 karma

Haha call ur local authorities...repairing fingers likely aint cheap

1bad420a14 karma

Is your beard real? Hi Frank its Ernie!

ALLIGATORROBB25 karma

I apply new layers of paste like glue each and every morning...braided in with Sheltie Hair..😂😂...love ya buddy!!

k3rmz14 karma

Hello Frank

Question: you know when you have done something long enough brain sometimes goes to autopilot and you can't seem to remember much later. Have you experienced something similar when catching gators?

ALLIGATORROBB21 karma

I know exactly what you mean...try to make myself slow down and be methodical every day with work...what ur describing is how many people get hurt...but yes it does happen! Thankfully its a little different every single time

klahsio12 karma

Humboldt Park resident. Did you go to any local bars while in Chicago? Was that the first time in our city?

Any highlights of the trip?

ALLIGATORROBB17 karma

First time every in the Midwest yeah...I found several nice places...Rev Brewing is awesome as is bub city...love that brisket!

PM_ME_FOR_FUDGE8 karma

Why do you catch Gators?

ALLIGATORROBB21 karma

Why not?

ALLIGATORROBB20 karma

Opened many doors in the crocodilian world for me

ALLIGATORROBB13 karma

I love the animal...love wildlife and it's how I am able to work and do research with them

guillermo_shwanky7 karma

Do you like the song "Amos Moses?"

ALLIGATORROBB5 karma

😳

Chayden1537 karma

Was this the first gator you've caught?

ALLIGATORROBB16 karma

I've caught more than you could ever imagine

TheBlackHandofFate4 karma

I dunno I can imagine quite a lot.

ALLIGATORROBB7 karma

More...haha

jdr3931 karma

7 billion.

ALLIGATORROBB7 karma

Somewhere between that and alot LOL

Chayden1531 karma

Nice

ALLIGATORROBB13 karma

Its my 24/7/365 job since I was 15 lol

Vandechoz6 karma

it's hard to believe that there are that many gators that need catching

ALLIGATORROBB26 karma

Go on approx 1400 calls a year

coker22-14 karma

You go on approximately 3.8 calls per day, every day, without ever taking a single day off?

I’m gonna call either bullshit or 6th grade math education on that one.

ALLIGATORROBB12 karma

I thought ur Math was pretty amazing...winter time it slows way down...like today for instance 1 call...and many days through out winter with little to nothing...spring and summer...you work days at a time with little rest...might check on 20 plus calls a day.

ALLIGATORROBB3 karma

My Math stopped at Calc....brain still hurts...never quite recovered 😂

austiggins6 karma

What was your favorite thing about your Wrigley field experience?

ALLIGATORROBB12 karma

Meeting the players there that played in the 60s was amazing too...as well as the pitcher whom caught the ball I threw...also a Florida man! Kyle Ryan

ALLIGATORROBB10 karma

Oh wow...so calming....everyone talks about how overwhelming it can be...was one of the most amazing experiences ever standing out there looking around that field...and well knowing that you can throw a baseball takes any pressure that might exist away 🙏

The_MoonCricket5 karma

What's the best way to skin an alligator?

ALLIGATORROBB15 karma

The farms pump them full of air to loosen the hide from the meat...I have found the best way is to avoid trying it haha

The_MoonCricket1 karma

Thanks! I’ve been collecting pelts and an alligator is a dream for me!

ALLIGATORROBB5 karma

They are not worth a dime and likely never will be again...good time to find one if ur in the market!

The_MoonCricket2 karma

I’ll have to take a look. Why are they essentially worthless now??

ALLIGATORROBB8 karma

Market has always been on a 5/6 cycle...market got flooded...then the market decided it didn't want anything but farm gator hides...so the wild gators that require being put down have no value any longer

JQuilty5 karma

Were you amused at how inept the previous attempts were? We were all joking about how a flordiaman caught it in less than 24 hours.

ALLIGATORROBB7 karma

I said it before...we kinda all have our gifts...other feller was in over his head but he was doing it for nothing and doing what he felt would work...but truth be told it never would have worked that way.

Zomg_A_Chicken4 karma

Do you put pineapple on your pizza?

ALLIGATORROBB7 karma

I'm a pepperoni guy...but dont mind pineapple...growing a few right now

SparkleTheFart4 karma

When did you realize that this job would launch you into the public eye?

Also what is your favorite animal?

ALLIGATORROBB4 karma

Been doing educational programs for a very long time...and the media shows up to calls when gators on on peoples porches on in their pools all the time...had actually been on Good Morning America even a couple times before this after catching gators that seriously injured people...might sound odd but I really.enjoy them all...opposums are one of my faves...as I hate ticks!

kaseydjones4 karma

Big fan here. How are you, just like in general? What’s your favorite color and what does it make you feel? What’s the last book you read or documentary you saw that made you go “that was a good ass book/documentary”? Are you still in Chicago and/or liking it? The best Mexican food you can have is Naty’s Taco, on Chicago Ave. You’re a gift and a hero. Also I love you.

ALLIGATORROBB5 karma

Aww I am amazing...be back up 7 times since capturing chance...love it...back in Florida now...much love to you too!! Thank you for the kindness!!

mbutterfly323 karma

What’re your thoughts on global warming? Have you ever eaten gator meat?

ALLIGATORROBB6 karma

The earth is getting warmer...yes many times

xijnnjix3 karma

What do you think about the gators in the movie Crawl? I didn't even see them roll...

ALLIGATORROBB3 karma

Not the way an species behave...its all for fun though!

notahouseflipper3 karma

Frank, St. Augustine here, transplanted from Ft. Lauderdale. How can S FL get rid of their Iguana problem?

ALLIGATORROBB5 karma

No threat of that ever happening Mr. Flipper...if they wanted them gone or not

Kahzootoh3 karma

How did the City of Chicago reach out to you?

Did someone think “hey Florida has gator problems all the time, we should call and ask them for their gator guy’s number”?

ALLIGATORROBB7 karma

CACC asked a bunch of people and my name was the one being dropped 🙏...blessed to be good at my work and known for it

Lespacer3 karma

Was there ever a situation when you were catching alligators, that could have potentially put you at the risk of losing your life? If there were, what was the closest you got to death?

ALLIGATORROBB6 karma

Many many times....anytime ur in a culvert catching a large gator face to face...you question ur life decisions LOL

heyugl3 karma

have you ever tried to catch a ray?

ALLIGATORROBB1 karma

Caught rays fishing many times Yesum

TH3R34P3R9912 karma

Florida man usually wrestles the alligator, do you wrestle the gator??

ALLIGATORROBB2 karma

No wrestling...that's for road side attractions with tame alligators 🙏

NapStar4202 karma

What kind of payment did you get from this? Did you have to pay to get to Chicago?

ALLIGATORROBB15 karma

I paided my way and they reimbursed me after...not as much as you might imagine...due to public record laws they released all that information including emails ... Its worth a Google if ur interested 🙏

medfitthrowaway2 karma

Question about crocodiles if you have any experience with them. In the hotel zone of Cancun there is a large lagoon with a known presence of many crocodiles. Wife and I didn't know this a few years ago when we went there and rented some jet skis. Unfortunately the ocean was too turbulent so they told us to just stick around in the lagoon. Fell off a few times but overall a fun time. Were we in any danger with the crocs there?

ALLIGATORROBB1 karma

Those would be American crocs...the only issue is feeding...otherwise they are even more shy than alligators....an area with large activity with boats and jetskis is not a place they want to be...if you cruised away from the populated active area's into a wilderness area it wouldnt be the most intelligent idea

nutty-professor2 karma

What happens to gators after you catch them? Do they all go to the alligator farm?

ALLIGATORROBB2 karma

The gators I catch for the state have a different outcome on many of the occasions...if its a fed gator or a gator that has hurt a pet person or livestock that's the end of his story....this is very emotional at times...its an animal we love...but I would personally rather be the person doing that tough side, with love and care than someone whom doesn't have any affection toward the species. Hope that answers ur question...In spite of the "reality" shows u sometimes see on TV...the truth isn't so warm and fuzzy sadly.

nutty-professor2 karma

Thanks for the answer. Sorry to hear they don't always have a happy ending, but you have a great perspective and I'm also glad that the gators have you to handle them.

ALLIGATORROBB1 karma

I'd always rather people know the truth as brutal as that truth can be sometimes....much appreciated sir.🙏💚

Topthrill92 karma

Do you get annoyed when people confuse alligators and crocodiles? What’s the difference anyway? Just kidding. Not really.

ALLIGATORROBB2 karma

Haha...there are now 25 recognized species of crocodilian...three family groups...Gharials...Camien/alligators and Crocodiles....the differences are vast...Google the crocodile specialist group and be amazed...happy new year!

ToadCrabber2 karma

How's it going so far?

ALLIGATORROBB1 karma

Which part?

ToadCrabber2 karma

Your life with the gator

ALLIGATORROBB1 karma

My alligator life...sounds like a book lol...all good here...each day is a blessing

guitargirlmolly2 karma

What’s your favorite thing that Florida has that Chicago doesn’t?

ALLIGATORROBB7 karma

Wow...beaches (with salt water) cypress swamps, my blood family....because Lord knows I have made lots of family in Chicago...great people

breathe_scartissue2 karma

Did you enjoy your trip to Chicago at least?

ALLIGATORROBB2 karma

Loved them all been back 7 times since...wonderful city...terrific people!

quad59141 karma

has an alligator ever bitten you? and how badly?

ALLIGATORROBB2 karma

No...made many mistakes but never that one 🙏💚🐊

andygauge1 karma

We hear about Florida man a lot on Reddit. Were you also the one who bought generators for the Bahamas?

ALLIGATORROBB5 karma

No sir...

VictorKutepov1 karma

Do you like Chicago deep dish?

ALLIGATORROBB5 karma

Yes...but I must admit I am becoming an even larger fan of the thin crust there...Omg...

VictorKutepov2 karma

The pizza in the suburbs are even better than in the city, especially in the north side, I really recommend it

ALLIGATORROBB3 karma

So I am finding out...there were a few bars with insane good pizza!!

LJensen123Q1 karma

If you could catch any other animal/animals what would they be?

ALLIGATORROBB4 karma

Have a buddy whom researches pangolins....always wanted to see one!!

LJensen123Q1 karma

I have another question. This may have been asked but is all of the stuff that happens in Florida actually how the media portrays it?

ALLIGATORROBB6 karma

Not at all!! Lol...there is crazy everywhere...I believe its us and Ohio that make arrest reports public record and post it on the web...so our crazy is just a little more accessible BWHAHAHA

Indira60142 karma

Am from Ohio, can confirm. This place’s crazy is just more visible to the world than other states.

ALLIGATORROBB1 karma

Haha yeah we get a bad wrap from it haha

drmcmahon1 karma

As a fellow Florida Man, what part of the state are you from?

ALLIGATORROBB2 karma

Space coast proud!

Gobias_Industries2 karma

You been to Loyd Have Mercy?

ALLIGATORROBB1 karma

I have!

formervoater21 karma

How many meth related alligator incidents have you been involved in?

ALLIGATORROBB3 karma

Zero haha....that's some make believe insanity there Lol

formervoater21 karma

There was one on the 12th.

ALLIGATORROBB3 karma

Media looking for a story. LOL

9yroldupvotegiver1 karma

How do you catch them? Do you bait? Like with chicken?

ALLIGATORROBB2 karma

I catch 99% of them on a fishing rod...as big as u can imagine...no bait

9yroldupvotegiver2 karma

Total respect.

ALLIGATORROBB1 karma

🙏

HelpMyCatDorian-7 karma

Are you a conservative?

ALLIGATORROBB6 karma

I'm in the middle...firmly