Even though it’s been 10 years since beloved crocodile hunter Steve Irwin died, the Australian’s spirit is still alive and well. On Thursday, Steve Irwin’s son, Robert, joined Jimmy Fallon on the “Tonight Show” stage.
“It’s really nice to follow in his footsteps,” the 13-year-old said, dressed in a khaki Australia Zoo uniform, of course. Robert added that his enthusiasm for wildlife, like his dad, is “just in my blood. I think I’m the luckiest kid on planet Earth."
Robert, who grew up at the Australia Zoo with his sister, Bindi Irwin, made sure not to visit Fallon alone. He introduced the “Tonight” host to a slew of creepy and cuddly creatures.
Even though Fallon admitted he’s afraid of animals, Robert stayed right in his element, showing off the critters with that signature, infectious Irwin passion the world loved.
Robert first pulled out Beetlejuice, the African dwarf crocodile, an amphibian that can grow up to 5 feet. “Isn’t it just amazing!” he hailed. “They’re just like modern day dinosaurs.”
And when Fallon got up the courage to pet the little guy, Robert didn’t miss a beat. “There you go. Well done,” he encouraged.
Fallon also met Mickey, the screaming hairy armadillo, which he said "looks like Donald Trump’s toupée."
U.S. & World
He then got to know Lady, the red-tailed boa. Lady, perhaps instinctively, began constricting around Fallon, which launched Robert into a lesson about how boa’s catch their prey.
“All of the sudden they strike and grab their prey, coil around it, and that’s how they kill them,” he explained. “It’s that just fascinating?”
The cute and fuzzy animals that stole the show, however, were two “beautiful” sloths: Valentino, the 8-pound baby, and Serenity, the 25-pound who loves cuddles
Things got personal when Serenity, hanging onto Fallon’s hands, wrapped her legs around his waist. Robert called Fallon the official “sloth whisperer.”
Robert is part of the Wildlife Warriors organization, which his parents started. It puts on the annual "Steve Irwin Gala Dinner” to honor the life and legacy of the “original wildlife warrior.” Robert will host this year’s event with his mom, Terri Irwin, and sister on May 13 in Los Angeles.