Animal lover has a thing for reptiles
Published: 1/5/2013 2:34 PM
Last Modified: 1/28/2013 3:03 PM
Teresa Mallak has to handle Mean Green, the 2-year-old iguana, with thick gloves.
Mallak adopted Mojo five years ago. 
Flucy, a stray cat, found her way to Mallak?s house about a month ago.
"I have a strange attachment to reptiles which no one can explain," she said.
Although she grew up in a house with a mother who hated snakes and lizards, Mallak could not keep her hands off them.
Now, she often travels to Jordan, where she loves to catch wild chameleons and bearded dragons.
But not all her pets are reptiles. Here, Mallak answers questions about her animals.
1. How many pets do you have, what are they and what are their names?
I have nine pets: three cats (Mojo, Frankie, Flucy); two ball pythons (Molly and Mo); two three-toed box turtles (Bella, Cheeto); one ornate box turtle (Meanie); and an iguana (Mean Green).
2. How long have you had the longest one? When did you get the newest?
I adopted Mojo and Frankie about five years ago and Flucy is a stray that came to my house a little over a month ago.
3. What made you decide to get some of those untraditional pets, and where did you get them? Where do you keep them?
I love reptiles. If I could study herpetology I would, but that is not a degree you will find in Tulsa. I always get my reptiles from the Oklahoma Reptile Expo. I love to watch animal behavior, and I always keep my reptiles on display in the family room.
(The next Oklahoma Reptile Expo will be Feb. 17 at the Clarion Hotel, 2600 N. Aspen Ave. in Broken Arrow. Vendors will be selling reptiles, exotic animals, cage supplies and more. General admission is $6. For more, call 913-609-9343 or visit tulsaworld.com/reptileexpo).
4. Do you have a favorite? Why?
My favorite is Mean Green, my 2-year-old male iguana. He is so mean and aggressive, I have to handle him with thick gloves. But I love him. He is like a living, breathing dinosaur and there is never a dull moment with him.
5. Whose job is it to take care of them?
I take care of the animals 95 percent of the time, but my youngest son does help. My other kids and husband, however, do not share my love of animals. My husband only likes them when they give him a good Instagram photo.
6. Do you have a favorite pet or animal organization?
I love the Oklahoma Reptile Expo and Street Cats. I have this stray that I really didn't want to keep and Street Cats of Tulsa helped me get her spayed and vaccinated for free, which changed my mind about keeping her.
Written by
Nour Habib
Scene Writer
