Alligator snaps at Robert Irwin as he tries to give huge reptile a hug in wild video

Robert Irwin has shocked his fans by sharing a clip of himself playfully petting an enormous alligator.

The 22-year-old conservationist can be seen stroking and hugging the reptile in the Instagram video.

At one point, the alligator appeared to snap its huge jaws at Robert, which left the Dancing With The Stars US winner completely unfazed.

Introducing the creature to viewers as a large young male, Robert said the alligator could measure 12-14 feet (3.6-4.2 metres) once fully grown.

Robert filmed the moment during feeding time at Australia Zoo – his family’s conservation park in Queensland.

At one point in the video, Robert could be seen throwing large pieces of red meat into the alligator’s mouth as other reptiles surrounded him.

Robert Irwinhas shocked his fans by sharing a clip of himself playfully petting an enormous alligator 

In another part of the clip, he could be seen lying on top of the alligator’s huge tail.

‘Absolutely armour-plated these guys are, ‘ he said admiringly as he stroked the reptile.

‘Always love jumping in with our alligators here,’ Robert said in the caption of the Instagram post.

‘We love you, please be careful as always,’ wrote one concerned follower, while another added: ‘Only next to you would I feel safe doing this, he’s a cutie tho.’

A third person joked: Can I pet the dawg?’ 

It comes after Robert shared a very touching reunion with the woman who waltzed him to victory on Dancing With The Stars US last year.

The Wildlife Warrior invited Witney Carson along to Australia Zoo this week – and she brought along her family.

In a sweet video shared to Instagram, Robert, 22, joined Witney, her husband Carson McAllister and their sons Kevin Leo and Jet Carson, with Robert holding the hands of the husband and wife as he danced into frame. 

At one point, the alligator appeared to snap its huge jaws at Robert, which left the Dancing With The StarsUS winner completely unfazed 

The 22-year-old conservationist can be seen stroking and hugging the reptile in the Instagram video 

‘We are BACK. Team IrWINit reunited,’ Robert wrote in his caption alongside the clip.

Witney and Robert took home the Mirrorball trophy when they won the American edition of Dancing With The Stars in November.

Last year, Robert quickly sparked romance rumours with Witney – before fans worked out that the stunning dancer is very much taken.

Viewers at home remarked on their sizzling chemistry during their first dance together, and again this week during their ‘hot’ tango.

Followers of the Aussie star, who is ten years younger than Witney, were disappointed to discover the choreographer is already married.

The US dancer and the Aussie star have not struck up a romance, given Witney happily tied the knot with her high school sweetheart, Carson, in 2016.

Nevertheless, it appears Robert and Witney had a close working relationship, with the I’m A Celebrity host hailing her ‘the best dance partner’.