Robert Irwin, son of the Crocodile Hunter, graduates to hand-feeding saltwater crocs at age 10

HE'S grown up around some of the world's deadliest predators, but there's one thing Robert Irwin hasn't been allowed to do - until now.

AS A BABY Robert Irwin almost became crocodile food, but now it's his turn to wield the beef chop.

After years of "croc school" training with small alligators and freshies, the son of Steve Irwin is about to graduate to feeding the scary big salties - just like his father.

IN PICTURES: Croc Hunter Jr in training

On his 10th birthday on December 1, Robert will live out his dream and face one of the world's most efficient predators.

"I've lived with 'Can I feed a big croc, can I feed a big croc?' every day since he was two years old," said proud mum Terri Irwin.

"Ten years is a long time to be in training. For me it was two years before I fed a big croc when I came to Australia."

Robert is counting down the days on a whiteboard calendar which he ritually circles each morning before announcing how much longer it will be.

Exclusive photos of Robert in training this week reveal the boy is not only the spitting image of his father, but shares his mannerisms, concentration and stamina in the croc pen.

Bending at the knees and holding a bucket of beef chunks, he remains alert as the ravenous alligators and freshies lunge at him from all angles.

"I actually get a bit emotional when I watch Robert because it feels so familiar," said Terri.

In an exclusive interview with The Courier-Mail, Robert said he loved feeding the reptiles.

"I'm not really nervous when they're coming towards me. I think it's really, really exciting," he said.

"I think it's so cool to be able to feed a modern-day dinosaur, it's so, so cool.

"It's great because I've got so many people around me keeping it very safe, so it's never really dangerous."

Robert said he had learnt a lot from his trainers and also watching videos of his father.

In 2004 Steve Irwin made world headlines when he cradled one-month-old Robert in one arm while hand-feeding a massive croc with the other arm.

Robert said he was looking forward to one day being able to feed the giant ones.

"Hopefully I"ll be able to feed bigger and faster crocodiles, that would be good, and also to start getting a little bit closer to them and really almost hand feed them,' he said.

"Because when you first start out you just throw the food to the crocs but then you can start actually getting them to strike up and launch out of the water and it's really fun so hopefully one day I'll be able to do it."

Australia Zoo will host a dinosaur-themed birthday for Robert on Sunday, December 1, with free admission for children under 14.

The day will feature many dinosaur activities, including dinosaur-themed workshops, the cutting of Robert's prehistoric birthday cake and prizes and giveaways.

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