Yes, we called him the Sexiest Veterinarian in 2016, but Dr. Evan Antin basically threw his hat into the ring for Sexiest Man Alive contention this week with a steamy animal-themed photo shoot for Basic magazine.
In two pics Antin — a veterinarian at California’s Conejo Valley Veterinary Hospital — shared on Instagram, he’s holding exotic animals (his favorite) while showing off his toned biceps. But he’s turning the pictures into teaching moments, too, educating swooning Instagram followers about his creature costars.
“I love discussing my profession but broaching the subject of wildlife conservation is so important and I’m grateful for getting the opportunity to speak on it,” the 31-year-old writes alongside a photo of himself with a large monitor lizard.
On a second pic, in which he’s wrapped in a reticulated python, he drops knowledge about the animals’ size, eating habits and senses.
In a recent interview with PEOPLE, Antin dished on his love of exotic animals, and the lengths he goes to find them. His latest trip was to the Philippines, where he visited a rescue organization that breeds Philippine freshwater crocodiles, among the most endangered in the world. In the past, he’s done dental work on primates in Indonesia, wrangled lizards in Botswana and watched the echidnas (spiny anteaters) of Australia. “If it has good wildlife, maybe a jungle, cool people and neat history, I’m there,” he says.
