A glamorous crocodile handler has lifted the lid on what life is really like in the terrifying job – from feeding deadly reptiles to having little time to date.

No scaly critter is too dangerous for Savannah Boan, who has spent nearly her entire life swimming with alligators and snuggling up with crocs.

The ambassador for Gatorland Global Conservation’s day at the office is a bit different to what most of us are used to, as she interacts with some of the world’s deadliest reptiles.

But one unexpected side effect of the job? The knock on effect it has had on her love life.

“My job affects my dating life in the way that I believe most people are afraid to date such a strong woman that works with prehistoric beasts on a daily basis,” Savannah, from Florida, US, told NeedToKnow.online.

“Maybe they’re afraid of me? Maybe they’re afraid of the animals I work with? Maybe they think I’m crazy? I’m not too sure.

“As far as potential partners go, I’m a super hard worker with no days off.

“Anyone I would ever be involved with would have to be a superhero just like me and that’s kind of tough to find.

“But I’m sure there’s one out there somewhere.”

“My romantic interests are always put off by what i do, but I like the alligators and crocodiles better anyways.

”As least the animals' intentions are always clear!.

” Humans are a bit more difficult to try and figure out when it come to motives.

“One day there will be someone strong enough to walk beside me hand in hand, but not today, and I’ve learned a lot about patience from crocodiles and alligators so I’m not in any rush.

But for Savannah, dating has to take the back seat anyway, with her job keeping very extremely busy.

She said: “I get into work early in the morning and check all the animals under my personal care – feeding, setting up nesting areas, general husbandry, enrichment activities for all the animals including huge alligators, saltwater crocodiles, American crocodiles and Cuban crocodiles.

“Gatorland is a very safe park but danger is always part of the day.

“One day a lady dropped her phone into our main lake and we had to take a boat out to get it - she dropped it under a walkway

”We had to paddle the boat under the walkway into the darkness to try and retrieve the phone.

” As we were splashing in the water searching for the phone under the walkway we came face to face with a 13 foot alligator eye level with us.

” Luckily he was just as scared to see us there as we were to see him, I think we may have woken him up from a nap.

”He turned and splashed us with a big swipe of his tail and we got out of there fast - We saved the phone though.

“Our alligators and crocodiles pretty much know us by sight and I know them all by name.

“Their behaviour patterns are all different individually, so getting to know them personally is key to working with them.

“I watch over huge alligators, giant saltwater crocodiles, Nile crocodiles, Orinoco crocodiles and more.”

Savannah admits that her role is generally viewed as masculine, and has faced backlash in the past for handling dangerous creatures.

However, she doesn't let anything get in the way of her passion and says people are more supportive nowadays.

She added: “Any push back I ever get is generally from men though I have some excellent male colleagues at Gatorland and throughout the world.

“There are lots of women working in crocodile conservation and we are all very supportive of one another.”

“Male colleagues that I work with directly are generally great and respectful if they know me.

“However the internet is filled with men and women that think I’m ill equipped for my position because I’m female and because of my southern accent.

“I don’t let their hate or wishes for me to be injured bother me though.”

“People have commented things such as it’s only a matter of time”

“Or even She’ll be dead soon”

Savannah, who has always been an animal lover, was used to handling smaller crocs and lizards when she worked at a reptile zoo in California.

However, her responsibilities grew when she joined Gatorland seven years ago and started handling crocodiles twice her size.

She said: “I’ve definitely achieved a life goal by working at the alligator capital of the world every day alongside modern-day dinosaurs.

“Prior to Gatorland I worked with some smaller crocodilians, huge pythons, monitor lizards and other various venomous and non-venomous reptiles at a Reptile Zoo in Southern California.

“I’m a Florida girl at heart though and I have always wanted to work for Gatorland.

“My family thinks my job is right in line with my personality.

“I have been saving bugs, snakes, lizards and more since I was knee-high to a grasshopper.”

While she loves all animals, Savannah has a few favourites.

She said: “The critically endangered Cuban crocodile is my favourite species, however at Gatorland we have a big boss croc named Ricardo.

“There is also Dundee, the big saltie who has the best personality.

“My favourite alligator is my buddy named Jaws. Jaws loves to fight and he never wins but his determination is infectious.”

Jaws is particularly popular online, with Savanna sharing videos of her interactions with him on Instagram to er 274,000 followers.

In one clip, Jaws can be seen showing off his sharp teeth as he tours his new home.

In another, the scaly creature enjoys a petting from fearless Savannah.

Shocked users rushed to the comments to share their thoughts.

“He looks a little like Godzilla lol,” said one user.

Another person said: “He’s sooooo cuuuute.” [sic]

“Jawsome,” quipped someone else.

ENDS

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