Bindi Irwin’s Daughter Grace ‘Cuddles’ With an Animal Bigger Than She Is & the Photos Are Pure Joy

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As the granddaughter of the Crocodile Hunter, it’s no wonder 3-year-old Grace Warrior is fearless when it comes to giant animals. In fact, she loves them! Bindi Irwin shared photos of her daughter cuddling with a typically un-cuddly reptile at the Australia Zoo, and even though the creature is bigger than she is, Grace has the biggest smile on her face.

Bindi posted two pictures of Grace hanging out with a giant tortoise on Instagram. In the first snap, Bindi’s husband Chandler Powell pets the tortoise’s long neck, as Grace leans in on her tippy toes to give the animal a sweet hug. Her head and hands are resting on the tortoise’s bumpy shell for the hug, and the animal doesn’t seem to mind at all. Steve Irwin would have been so proud!

In the next photo, Powell leans in for the photo, as the tortoise starts to stand up. Grace only has eyes for her dad, as she smiles at him with her eyes scrunched together in pure joy.

“Tortoise cuddles. ❤️🐢 Words can’t describe how much I love my little family,” the You Are a Wildlife Warriorauthor captioned the heart-warming picture. Bindi’s mom (and Grace’s “Bunny”) Terri Irwin commented, “Even tortoises love a Grace hug!🐢” She’s like a little animal whisperer!

“Oh so incredible the love & respect for all the creatures of this earth Gracie is learning. You are all so loved, seeing all this enriching so many 🫶🏼♥️,” one person commented. Someone else wrote, “This just so very cute and adorable xo 🐢🐢🐢🐢”

Grace’s hugs are so great because she learned from the best: her mama! In an interview with Parents earlier this month, Bindi revealed she has a special rule around hugs that she “never” breaks with her daughter. “My biggest superpower as a parent are my hugs,” Bindi said. “Any time Grace is having a big emotion — sadness, frustration, even joy — she asks if she can have a cuddle. Sometimes our hugs are 10 or 15 minutes long.”

How amazing is that? The Crikey! It’s the Irwins star continued, “I don’t care what else is going on. I am never the first one to break a hug. She can let go when she’s ready.”

Grace is learning about kindness, love, and the joy of protecting wildlife, and it’s so sweet to see her in action!

Before you go, click here to see Bindi Irwin’s sweetest mommy milestones!