Charlie Parker, 3, is the youngest ranger at Australia's Ballarat Wildlife Park outside Melbourne. He plays with gators, although under the watchful eye of his family, who operates the zoo.

Fearless Charlie Parker looks far from rattled as he comes face-to-face with a 10kg snake and while the youngster’s legs may wobble under the weight of Pablo – a 2.5m boa constrictor, the enormous reptile holds no fears for him.