An old rivalry between the Irwin brothers has come to light after a new species of snail is named after Robert.
Scientist Dr. Lorelle Stanisic recently discovered a new native snail, Figuladra robertirwini, which she named after the 20-year-old, making him the third member of the Irwin family to have a snail named after him.
His late father Steve has the rare tree snail, Crikey steveirwini, while his sister Bindi, 25, has a small caropid land snail named after her.
And Dr Stanisic revealed she named the snail Robert after noticing a sibling rivalry with her sister Bindi several years ago.
“My husband John was telling Terri (Irwin) all about how he was about to name this cute little snail Bindi,” the scientist said. ABCbefore adding, he noticed a hint of jealousy on young Irwin’s part.
An old rivalry between the Irwin brothers has come to light after a new species of snail is named after Robert. Pictured with sister Bindi in 2023.
“I took a look at Robert’s face, Robert didn’t say a word, you could tell that, like all brothers, he was thinking: ‘Oh, God, they’re going to give him a snail,'” he added.
Dr. Stanisic then made a promise to one day name a species after the young wildlife warrior.
‘I had to decide which one I was going to name Robert… I knew of his love for photography so I was hoping he could go and photograph some of the beautiful areas (where the snails are found) of the Eurimbula National Park and Rodds Peninsula and around 1770’, he explained.
Scientist Dr Lorelle Stanisic recently discovered a new native snail, Figuladra robertirwini, (pictured), which she named after the 20-year-old.
And Dr Stanisic revealed she named the snail Robert after noticing a sibling rivalry with her sister Bindi several years ago.
The new species was discovered in southern Queensland and can be found in dry forests and vine thickets.
Robert took to Instagram on April 21 to share a video announcing the exciting news to his social media followers.
‘What a great honor to have a newly discovered species of snail named after me! Introducing Robert Irwin’s Striped Snail…’ he captioned the post.
“My husband John was telling Terri (Irwin) all about how he was about to name this cute snail Bindi,” the scientist told ABC, before adding that she noticed a hint of jealousy on young Irwin’s part. .
