Born on 22 February 1962, Essendon, Australia, Steve Irwin grew up in his parent’s (Bob and Lyn Irwin) wildlife park- Queensland Reptile and Fauna Park, now known as the Australia Zoo. He grew up at the park involving in the daily feeding, care and maintenance of the park’s many animal inhabitants.
Animals have always been an important part of his life. He had no degree but he grew up and spent his entire life studying, caring, living, catching and working with animals. Evidently he became an expert on Australia’s local wildlife, particularly reptiles.
Steve Irwin’s childhood is very different from other growing kids. While his peers’ father teaches them how to play sports and ride a bicycle, Steve’s dad, Bob Irwin, teaches him to jump into the rivers in North Queensland how to catch a crocodile with his bare hands by the time he was 9 years old.
Born in a naturalist family, he also received the most unusual birthday gift on his 6th birthday- A python.
Together with his dad, this father-and-son team declares that every crocodile in their zoo was either self caught, bred and raised themselves.