Bindi Irwin’s daughter Grace shared a sweet moment with her tortoise “best friend” in a new Instagram photo posted on Sunday, December 21. The 4-year-old posed beside a giant turtle while wearing a floor-length green ballgown, gently petting the reptile’s head.
The family captioned the post: “Best friends seem to share thoughts. So much love.💕” While the photo doesn’t name the tortoise, Bindi previously revealed that Grace is “best friends” with an Aldabra tortoise named Igloo.
Fans quickly recognized the special bond in the comments. One Instagram user wrote, “Grace and Igloo are the bestest of friends ❤️🥹🥰🐢,” while another added, “I bet they can practically read each other’s minds 🥹❤️.” Many also complimented Grace’s stylish outfit, calling her dress “gorgeous” and praising her as a little princess.
This is not the first time Grace has been seen interacting with Igloo. On November 28, Bindi shared a video of Grace reuniting with the tortoise after returning from Los Angeles, where the family had been supporting Robert Irwin on Dancing with the Stars. In the clip, Grace hugged Igloo and said, “I missed you,” before feeding the tortoise with excitement.
Bindi explained to Entertainment Tonight how much Grace and Igloo adore each other. She said that when Igloo sees Grace, he moves across his paddock as quickly as possible—though tortoises are naturally slow—and waits to sit by her. “They love each other! It’s the funniest thing you’ve ever seen,” Bindi added.
In a June interview on the Not Gonna Lie with Kylie Kelce podcast, Bindi shared how she and her husband, Chandler Powell, introduced Grace to animals like tortoises, wombats, and echidnas gradually. She emphasized teaching her daughter to read animal cues and care for wildlife responsibly, a practice inspired by her own childhood with her parents.
Grace’s adventurous personality shines through in her interactions with animals. Bindi noted that her daughter always wants to participate in family activities. “When we’re feeding the crocodiles, she’s like, ‘Why can’t I be there with you?’ She’s crying, ‘I just wanna feed the crocodiles!’”
Bindi also remarked that Grace is a “wild child,” displaying traits reminiscent of her late grandfather, Steve Irwin. “I did not expect that having a little one. I was like, ‘Where did this come from?’ Oh, my dad,” she said, laughing.
The Irwin family continues to celebrate their love for wildlife while nurturing Grace’s curiosity and bond with animals. The heartwarming moments with Igloo highlight the special connection between children and nature, reflecting the family’s lifelong mission to inspire conservation and respect for wildlife.
