It’s a Great Time to be a Reptile Boyfriend

There’s all this talk about fishing for love, but what about crocodile hunting for romance? As Lana Del Rey has shown us, stars fall (and sparks fly) where the baby alligators play.

In case you didn’t know, Del Rey’s husband, Jeremy Dufrene, is a professional airboat captain who gives swamp and alligator tours—the exact type of man I like to call a Reptile Boyfriend.

Life is good for these boys right now—think Dufrene, Robert Irwin, and obviously Rob Rausch from Love Island and The Traitors. It’s also good for those who love them/love looking at them. This spring, Reptile Boyfriends are really having their moment—and I think I know why they’ve slithered into our hearts.

What Is a Reptile Boyfriend?

A reptile boyfriend is a boyfriend—or someone of any gender identity who is boyfriend material—that like reptiles. (Or even better, works with them.)

They’re not afraid to touch snakes, turtles, or alligators, which is a huge selling point in a relationship, because you might be. (Though of course you have to be brave and pet whatever lizard they’re showing on the first date to impress them.)

Steve Irwin, thee crocodile hunter, is the blueprint and absolutely informed the current generation of Reptile Boyfriends, his son Robert included. We just needed to wait and see the men he raised come into their own for the type to really flourish.

Robert is 22 now—right on schedule.

Reptile Boyfriend Icons

The Rob(ert)s really did something for the Reptile Boyfriend community through their work on national television—just like papa, in Irwin’s case.

The conservationist is sweet as can be and looks amazing while dancing with the stars, guiding tours at the zoo, or underwear modeling. Meanwhile, Rausch is a rascal who looks amazing in general. We’ve all seen that snake tattoo.

The thing is, both of these boys really do love reptiles. (“My mom had a rule that I could only catch snakes if I knew exactly what species they were, so obviously, I learned all the species,” Rausch told GQ in a recent interview.) While Irwin was raised in the biz, Rausch was scouted for Love Island from social media where he went to show off his discoveries.

That is to say, his passion got him where he is today. He’s $220,800 richer post Traitors win and even narrating a smut audiobook—The Snake Handler—for Quinn. Total Reptile Boyfriend material.

Though he’s a little less public facing, Dufrene has been a major torchbearer for the population. “I know you wish you had a man like him, it’s such a bummer,” sings Del Rey in her latest single “White Feather Hawk Tail Deer Hunter.”

And it’s true. We do.

Then there’s Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams, who both have snake tattoos that they got long before they met. It’s also not lost on me that Jacob Elordi also once professed his love for the Thorny Devil, a spiky lizard native to Australia, while wearing a pink sweater.

Snake Charmers are Charming

So, why do we love a Reptile Boyfriend? For one, snakes are a common fear and its nice to feel fully protected from something you’re scared of. Seeing someone act casual about something terrifying is ssssssexy, and you can rest/visit the bayou peacefully knowing you’ll never have to be the one to deal with them.

There’s also something to be said about the Reptile Boyfriend’s ability to love something regardless of its perceived beauty, intelligence, and intention. They show compassion to—and are even inspired by—something society tells us to be afraid of.

Snakes are often used to symbolize evil or nastiness (think The Bible, Harry Potter, Taylor Swift’s discography) and the ability to “charm” them showcases a profound ability to coexist with or master danger. There’s bravery involved, but also a sense of responsibility. You have to care about your own safety while remaining empathetic to the fact that the animal is also watching out for itself.

Curiosity, empathy, protection… all good traits to find in a boyfriend! And if they’re a little bit of a scoundrel on reality TV? So be it. No one is perfect.