Beneath a blazing Midwestern sun, an 8-foot pet alligator named Chompers, basks on a sandy beach next to her bridal bouquet. Loved ones took in the scene from afar as Chompers slipped into a pool flecked with floating rose petals. She wasn’t alone for long—Soni, her 500-pound alligator fiance, soon plodded off the beach and swam to her side. Standing on the beach was proud owner Corbin Maxey, a wildlife expert and YouTube personality with a lifelong mission of rescuing animals. “It was the wedding of the year,” Corbin says. “It just brought so many people online, invested in these two characters. And I just, it blows my mind.”
The Swampers’ marriage was YouTube’s first documented alligator wedding, complete with a wedding cake, monogrammed cookies and animal bridal guests. The celebration was a heartwarming milestone for two once neglected reptiles who faced harsh beginnings. Corbin rescued Soni 19 years ago when he was a young gator living in a teenager’s closet. He later rescued Chompers after she arrived at his home wrapped in a pillowcase and stuffed inside a shoebox. The two now live happily in a 1,000 square-foot habitat on Corbin’s animal reserve.
While the Swampers are Corbin’s most internet famous animal rescues, he now cares for more than 30 rescued exotic critters at his family home in Marsey, Idaho. He often documents his animal adventures on his YouTube channel which has garnered 5 million subscribers and 3 billion views. Most of Corbin’s episodes are zany personal encounters with his reptiles or revolve around Swampers romantic tales. Many, however, contain more serious undertones meant to teach his audience about conservation or little-known animal populations. “We try to keep them very lighthearted, but I love being able to share or feature animals that maybe are misunderstood or maybe, let's say in conservation status that people have no idea are declining,” he says. African lion populations are in decline and giraffes are experiencing a silent extinction, he added. “Everyone knows about elephants and rhinos, but no one knows that giraffes are actually declining at more of a rapid rate.”
Corbin began his own animal rescue efforts at a young age. He started his first non-profit animal rescue, Cyprus Hill Reptile Reserve, as a 12-year-old when he convinced his dad to accept an unwanted ball python named Reggie. Within a year, he’d amassed more than 60 animals in his parent’s spare bedroom including iguanas, turtles, a piranha and baby alligator. Once people in his small town learned he took in unwanted reptiles, the floodgates were open, Corbin says.
Corbin’s love for animals soon morphed into a drive to teach others about them. As a teenager, he volunteered his pets and time by giving free presentations to community groups. Then at age 14, Corbin’s mother submitted his name to a talent scout on the hunt for teens with unique skills. A week later he got a phone call which eventually earned him a place—and his animals—on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. The gig was a natural fit for Corbin’s lively personality and charm with creatures.
“I love teaching people about animals,” Corbin says. “I always love making people laugh.” Corbin spent the next decade building a career as an animal expert on TV and in person. As an 18-year-old he became Boise Idaho’s youngest TV producer and show host with his segment “LIVE with the Reptile Guy.” He later launched his own animal segment on a local ABC affiliate showcasing sloths, porcupines and plenty of reptiles. By 2014, he had appeared on “The Today Show” over a dozen times, eventually becoming the most featured live in-studio animal expert. It was a hard-won journey, but Corbin never gave up. Similarly, his YouTube channel gave him the chance to create personal content and be himself. He encourages young kids to do the same. “It takes a lot of hard work and dedication,” he says. “But nothing's impossible.”
Nowadays, Corbin regularly tours the country presenting animals to live audiences. This spring he made his first live Texas appearance at Bridgeland’s NatureFest. The event drew thousands of residents and children who cheered as Corbin showed off a boa constrictor, anteater and red tegu lizard.
Corbin is quick to remind his fans that connecting with nature doesn’t require a stage or even exotic creatures. Sometimes it’s as simple as walking out their back door. “One piece of advice. Get out there. Get out there in nature,” he says. “I know it might seem daunting for some people and some people might say, well, it's easy for you to say…but you could just step outside. Go to a park. We're really lucky in North America…there's always going to be something in your backyard.”
Corbin began his own animal rescue efforts at a young age. He started his first non-profit animal rescue, Cyprus Hill Reptile Reserve, as a 12-year-old when he convinced his dad to accept an unwanted ball python named Reggie.
“I love teaching people about animals,” Corbin says. “I always love making people laugh.” Corbin spent the next decade building a career as an animal expert on TV and in person.