The 21-year-old told Parade whether we’ll see a return of the boa who accompanied him during the reveal he’d be on the ABC reality series.

Robert Irwin

While Dancing with the Stars‘ 34th season is still a handful of months away, we already know the first confirmed celeb: Robert Irwin. And the 21-year-old made a huge splash when he was revealed as a contestant on the ABC reality series, showcasing a very different type of partner with a reptile around his neck.

So, when Parade was able to speak with the conservationist at the Steve Irwin Gala on May 10, given what had happened, as well as his family’s unique connection with animals, we had one big question: Will he appear on DWTS with a snake?

“I think a snake has to make it in there at some point, surely,” Irwin answered.

“It’s so funny,” the son of Steve Irwin continued, laughing. “I feel like everything I do now, it’s like, ‘Can you do it with a snake? And can you do it shirtless?’ So I think it’s gonna happen.”

Indeed, when Irwin was announced as the first official cast member of the new season at the “Hulu Get REAL” event, he showed up sans shirt, rocking a snake as his only piece of wardrobe. As he entered, he hugged everyone up on stage, including former pros DerekHough and Julianne Hough. Alfonso Ribeiro, however, abstained.

“You will never see me hug a man with a snake,” he quipped to the audience. His co-host Julianne was more open to the idea, however, with Irwin even putting Priscilla the boa around her neck at one point.

Taking place at the Bellagio Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas on May 10, the Steve Irwin Gala celebrates the life and legacy of the legendary “Crocodile Hunter.” Funds raised from the evening support Wildlife Warriors’ global conservation projects, which range from rhino and elephant protection to tiger conservation in Sumatra to leading the world’s largest saltwater crocodile research program.

The excitement to have Irwin on DWTS is at an all-time high. After his sister Bindi Irwin, who was forced to miss the gala on Saturday due to an emergency appendectomy, won DWTS Season 21 a decade ago, people have been clamoring for Robert to make his dancing debut. And now it seems it won’t just be him doing so, but a collection of creatures, as he’ll be doing his best imitation of Britney Spears‘ iconic “I’m a Slave 4 U” performance on the dance floor.