By NATALIE SHEPHERD | News Channel 8

Published: February 9, 2011

KISSIMMEE — Getting attacked by an 8-foot alligator probably isn't a good career move, unless you're Jeff Quattrocchi.

"I kind of look at myself as the Evel Knievel of alligator handling," he explains with a smile.

Quattrocchi, who's better known as The Swampmaster, is a professional alligator wrestler. He grabbed headlines last May, when he brought his show to the Cotee River Seafood Festival in New Port Richey.

Quattrocchi made a mistake during the show, allowing the gator to chomp down on his arm and pull him underwater. The whole thing was caught on camera by someone in the crowd. He had to be taken to Bayfront Medical Center in St. Petersburg for surgery. His arm required 36 staples and 25 stitches.

Quattrocchi downplays the severity of his injury, but the attack gave his career the jump start it needed.

"It's just a scratch now. I've been bit 13 times," he said. "I've never been mauled like this before, but yes, it's been great for my career."

The dining room table at Quattrocchi's home in Kissimmee is covered with newspaper clippings. Following the attack, he received interview requests from around the world.

In the nine months since that fateful date, Quattrocchi has taken his show to 140 different cities. He's even been featured on The Travel Channel.

"It's 'Episode 2: When Vacations Attack.' Of course, someone caught my bite on film and it went all around the world," he said. "The Travel Channel was interested and they came out and did a great piece."

More television appearances are in the works. Quattrocchi recently signed a deal with a television production company. He said he's had interest from networks such as Spike TV.

It's an exciting time for the man who says his life's work is to educate people about alligators. The scars on his arm don't hurt, either.

"When I walk up on stage, what I hear is, 'Wow, look at the scars on his arm,'" he said proudly. "So it kind of goes with the show."

Quattrocchi isn't ruling out another wrestling match with the alligator who bit him. He said he still has the gator, although the reptile is 20 pounds heavier and maybe a little meaner.

But Quattrocchi isn't holding a grudge.

"He's looking great. He doesn't have a scratch on him. He's just hanging out and I'm ready for the rematch," he said. "No hard feelings at all. I love alligators. I'm an animal lover."

Quattrocchi plans on spending a few weeks at home, hitting the gym. He'll be on the road again in March, taking his show to Iowa and Los Angeles.