The Crocodile Hunter is one of the most loved shows of all time, and despite being off the air for years, it continues to maintain a rabid following. Steve Irwin was the host of the series, and his love and passion for wildlife and education were evident in each episode. Fans of the series got to watch Steve deploy into beautiful locations to highlight and teach us about amazing animals that most of us could only dream of seeing in person.
Though years have passed, fans still love watching and talking about the series. While they may be aware of what happened while the cameras were rolling, the behind the scenes information about the series is just as thrilling. Steve’s passion lives on today with his wife and children, and we are excited to take a deeper dive on the show.
Today, we are looking at some incredible facts about The Crocodile Hunter!
15 Steve And Terri Met At A Zoo
One of the coolest parts of the show was watching Steve work closely with his wife, Terri, who also had a love and passion for wildlife. So, it may not come as a shock to people that the pair actually met at a zoo. From then on, they would form an incredible relationship.
14 The Show's First Episode Was Filmed On Steve's Honeymoon
Now, when most people get married, they want to spend their honeymoon soaking up the sun and relaxing with their new partner. Steve and Terri Irwin, however, did things a little bit differently. The pair spent their honeymoon filming the first episode of the series! This paid off in the long run.
13 He Was Bitten On The Hand By A Crocodile
Despite being a professional, even Steve Irwin was not immune to getting bitten and having some bumps and bruises while on the job. Despite his moniker, Steve had been bitten on the hand by a crocodile in the past. Thankfully, there was no long-term damage that occurred during the incident.
12 He Once Fed A Crocodile While Holding His Infant Son
This moment could very well be the most infamous of his time in the spotlight, and some people lost their minds when it happened. Steve Irwin did feed a crocodile while holding his infant son, Robert. Everything went off without a hitch, but there were some people that were outraged.
11 Child Services Investigated Him In 2004
Of course, there is simply no way for a person to feed a crocodile while holding an infant without repercussions coming their way. After the incident, Steve was investigated by child services. Thankfully for the family, everything worked out and they were able to get off without a massive punishment.
10 He Never Had Anitvenom For Bites
Steve has handled some of the deadliest animals in the world, including a number of snakes that would send most people running for the hills. Even though these snakes could do some serious damage, Steve had said that he never carried around antivenom in the event of a snake bite.
9 PETA Had An Issue With The Show
PETA has never been known as an agency for having any sort of chill, so it should come as no surprise that they had major issues with Steve Irwin and his series. In fact, even after his passing, PETA was still taking shots at Irwin, and people made sure to blast them on social media.
8 The Crocodile Hunter Was Broadcast In Over 130 Countries
There are certain things in life that are universal, including a love of animals. Steve Irwin’s series was able to captivate audiences all over the globe. The Crocodile Hunter was able to be broadcast in over 130 countries, further cementing the Steve’s legacy and impact on the world that can still be felt.
7 He Discovered A New Species Of Turtle
Even though people have been constantly exploring and getting their hands dirty for ages, there are still new species of animals that are being discovered. The Irwin’s Turtle was discovered by Steve and his father back in 1990, and the new species would take on the Irwin name later on.
6 He Was Uncomfortable With Parrots
As someone that regularly handled crocodiles and some of the most intense predators in the world, there were still some animals that Steve Irwin was uncomfortable with. Believe it or not, Steve Irwin did have some issues with parrots. This is the same guy that handled venomous snakes and wrestled with crocodiles.
5 His Zoo Sparked A Debate About Wildlife Conservation
Wildlife conservation is a touchy subject for many people, as some feel that nature should simply take its course in the wild and that no animals should be at a zoo. Because of his status, Steve certainly attracted detractors, but this did not stop him from doing what he believed in.
4 He Was Bitten By A Python On Live Television
Back before he was a global name, Steve made an appearance on Sunshine TV to give the host and the audience a lesson about pythons. During his segment, the python unleashed a bite on Steve, who was able to maintain his cool. Thankfully, this snake did not have any venom.
3 Steve Saved An Employee From Being Eaten By A Crocodile
Things can go wrong in a hurry when on the job, and with people like Steve Irwin around, things can be resolved in a timely manner. When Wes Mannion was bitten by a crocodile and dragged into the water, Steve reacted by hopping on the crocs back and separating its jaw with a stick, saving Wes’ life.
2 He Had An Infamous Run-In With A Black Mamba
The black mamba is the most dangerous snake in the world, and Steve Irwin was more than happy to get his hands dirty when given the opportunity. This particular mamba had been terrorizing a village, and Steve was brought in to find a solution to the situation to help save lives.
1 The Stingray Footage Was Never Released
Sadly, Steve Irwin is no longer with us, and many of us remember where we were when we learned of his accident. The incident was caught on film, but the footage was never released. Thankfully, it will never see the light of day and people can remember Steve for his amazing legacy.