Mark with one of our friendly critters.

MARK J. RICHMAN
Joined the E-Team: May, 1st 2006
Age: 27… erm… 33… *cough* (covers mouth) 43…
Education: Life and about half-a-dozen colleges around the country.

INTERVIEW
You have performed in various acting roles around the country. Tell us a little about those experiences and how you ended up at Gatorland.

I am a “rennie.” I have performed at Renaissance Festivals all over the country and I have to admit that this will always be my first performing love. Interactive performance is my favorite type of entertainment, which is one of the things I love about working at Gatorland. I have also done Shakespeare and other traditional theatre, which I truly enjoy as well. I ended up in Orlando, and at Gatorland, when I needed a break from traveling. Eventually, I will return to the road, but Gatorland is a nice break for the time being.

What made you want to become a gator wrestler; was there a particular experience that helped you make this decision?

Gator Wrestling had to grow on me. When I first came to Gatorland, I was happy not to ever have to touch an alligator. But when I was offered a year-round position, it was contingent on getting trained to “cracker” the wrestling show, which meant gator training. My beloved reluctantly agreed as long as I promised to be careful, but the first time she saw me on an alligator, she thought it was the greatest thing. Her passing was the catalyst for my gator training and every time I wrestle an alligator, I can see her in the audience smiling.

Gator training must have been challenging, but it has to be fun too. Tell me about what makes it fun and keeps you excited.

There is no routine with gator training. There is no mediocre with gator training. Either you do it right every time, or you risk going through life known as nubby. But, the adrenaline rush that stems from performing in front of an audience with an alligator is addictive. I also love that no two gators react in the same way and no gator is the same on two different days. Every time I work with an alligator, or watch another performer, I learn something new. I’m not a morning person, but when I know I am wrestling an early show, I wake up ahead of my alarm.

What is your favorite animal at Gatorland and why?

Wow, that is hard. My favorite animal is kind of a revolving list. There is a bearded dragon named Elvis who holds a special place in my heart. My favorite bird, an amazon named Rio, now resides with me at home. But, throughout all the animals I encounter, an albino red rat snake named Oliver Twist probably squeaks by as my favorite animal. Love snakes or hate them, people are fascinated by them. And I love watching someone work through their fear by petting Oliver.

If you had a choice to travel anywhere in the world to study animals, where would you go and what animal would you study?

Wow! Make me think, why don’t you. If I had to choose, I would go to Africa and study the various species of ape. It may be cliché, but they have always fascinated me.

What kind of pets do you have at home? Why those pets?

I have 3 cockatoos, 2 amazons, and a blue-and-gold macaw. As well, I have 3 rat snakes. I am a sucker for animals and my wife and I took in birds that came from abusive or negligent homes and Gatorland has been kind enough to let me adopt other birds with whom I have worked at the park. I have snakes… well… because snakes are cool.

What kind of hobbies do you have?

Hobbies require the time to have hobbies, of which I have precious little. But, I do like working with leather.

Do you have any special talents?

All talent is special.

If there was one thing you would like for our guests to know about you, what would that be?

It makes me smile to see you smile.

What is the best part of your job as a Gatorland Entertainer?

It never fails to amaze me that someone actually pays me to do this.