(Cover) - EN Showbiz - Scarlett Johansson grew up with "reptiles".

The actress absolutely adores animals of all shapes and sizes. She thinks her fascination started when she was young, as she had a variety of different pets as she was growing up.

"I love animals. I've always loved animals I grew up with reptiles and cats and I have a dog," she told the BBC.

However, her passion was challenged with her latest role in We Bought a Zoo.

Scarlett would often come to set and not know what exotic animal to expect.

"It's one thing to be waking up in the morning next to your Chihuahua, it's another thing to wake up at 6am and you're standing there with Matt Damon staring at three tigers," she laughed. "All of you looking at each other just like, What are we doing? It's 6am.' It was a very surreal experience."

Matt had to work with both animals and young children for the movie.

The actor explained he would rather work with cheeky youngsters any day.

"I have four kids myself so that part of it felt very natural," he smiled. "The animals I had zero experience of." (C) Cover Media