09/05/2026
Steve Irwin had an impact on my life long before I ever understood just how big that impact would become.
As a kid, I was glued to anything involving animals. I watched Steve with this incredible sense of excitement and curiosity. He made reptiles, amphibians, and wildlife feel larger than life. But more importantly, he showed me that loving these animals wasn’t something you had to grow out of. It could become part of who you are.
Looking back at these photos, I can almost watch that passion developing in real time — catching wildlife, getting excited over reptile toys, bringing animals into school projects, and eventually sharing real reptiles with other kids. What started as childhood fascination kept growing.
Steve made conservation fun. He made education exciting. He wasn’t afraid to be enthusiastic, loud, passionate, or completely obsessed with the animals he loved. That stuck with me.
Years later, I get to do something that my younger self would have thought was unbelievable: travel around with reptiles and other incredible animals, introduce them to thousands of kids and families, and hopefully create that same spark in someone else.
Crosstown Exotics may be my own journey, but there is no question that Steve Irwin helped plant the seed.
Sometimes I wonder how many kids Steve inspired who eventually became zookeepers, biologists, conservationists, educators, reptile keepers, or simply adults who learned to respect animals they once feared.
I know I’m one of them.
The greatest tribute I can give him is to keep passing that excitement forward — educating people, getting them close to incredible animals, and showing the next generation that wildlife is worth understanding, respecting, and protecting.
Thank you, Steve. For the inspiration. For the memories. And for showing a kid who loved reptiles that passion could become a purpose. 🐊❤️
