Robert Irwin says he feels the closest to his late father Steve when he is feeding crocodiles

Robert Irwin says he feels most connected to his late conservationist, Steve, when he feeds crocodiles at the family’s Australia Zoo on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast.

The 18-year-old made the surprising confession during an interview with Paralympian Kurt Fearnley on ABC’s One Plus One.

Steve Irwin, known to the world as the ‘Crocodile Hunter’, died on September 4, 2006 at the age of 44 after being pierced in the chest by a stingray.

During the conversation, Robert gushed about his love of working with the reptiles, describing it as a “humble experience.”

“You’re one-on-one, pound-for-pound, the most powerful predator in the world … it’s a humbling experience.”

The giant creatures are a major attraction for tourists at Australia Zoo, where thousands regularly gather to watch Robert hand feed them.

‘It’s an honor and above all I feel closest to daddy [Steve Irwin] if I feed the crocodiles,” he told Kurt on Thursday night’s program.

“You can feel his presence,” the millionaire continued.

Steve Irwin (center right), known around the world as the ‘Crocodile Hunter’, died at age 44 on September 4, 2006, after being pierced in the chest by a stingray. Also pictured: Robert (L) Terri Irwin, wife of Steve, and far right, Robert’s sister, Bindi Irwin

“You can really feel close to his legacy when you work with the same crocodiles as he does.”

Robert was introduced to crocodile feeding in 2004. A photo of Steve holding a one-month-old Robert while feeding raw meat to a crocodile at Australia Zoo caused a stir.

The outrage over the incident was so great that Steve had to apologize publicly.

During the conversation, Robert gushed about his love of working with the reptiles, describing it as a “humble experience.” Pictured: Robert feeds a crocodile in Australia Zoo

Steve grabs a one-month-old Robert while feeding raw meat to a crocodile at Australia Zoo in 2004. The photo caused outrage and Steve later apologized publicly

After his death, Steve’s family, including his children Robert and Bindi, widow Terri and son-in-law Chandler Powell, continue his conservation work at the Australia Zoo.

Elsewhere in the chat, Robert admitted he was scared every time he went “one-on-one” with a crocodile.

“Mate,” he said with a good-natured smile, “if someone says they’re not afraid to feed a crocodile, they’re kidding themselves.”

Robert Irwin (pictured) teased an exciting new project called ‘Australia’

It comes after Robert recently teased a new unknown project that was set to kick off in October.

Fans have speculated that the new venture, dubbed ‘Australia’, could well be a documentary series.

Meanwhile, reports now claim that Robert has made the momentous decision to leave his childhood home at Australia Zoo in Queensland and travel the world making wildlife documentaries – just like his father.

According to reports, Robert has made the important decision to leave his childhood home at Australia Zoo in Queensland and travel the world making wildlife documentaries – just like his father