A scaly new character from Disney’s Zootopia 2 has sparked an unexpected and potentially dangerous trend in China, with young fans buying real venomous snakes resembling the film’s breakout reptile.
The blue snake character Gary De’Snake has become a fan favorite following the film’s release in late November, with some viewers attempting to buy Indonesian pit vipers that resemble the animated character. The species, known locally as the island bamboo pit viper, is highly venomous.
One such fan, 21-year-old Qi Weihao from Jiangxi province, told CNN he purchased a pit viper just two days after seeing the film. Qi, who already had experience keeping reptiles, said the positive portrayal of Gary helped change public perceptions of snakes in China.
Some Indonesian pit vibers are blue, just like Gary De’Snake in Zootopia 2Zootopia 2 Pit Viper trend raises concerns
Zootopia 2 has been a massive success in China, becoming the country’s highest-grossing foreign animated film of all time with more than 3.55 billion yuan, or roughly $503 million, in ticket sales. Globally, the movie has passed $1 billion at the box office.
Following the film’s release, Chinese state media reported a surge in online searches and rising prices for the Indonesian pit viper across major e-commerce platforms. While raising the snake is not illegal under Chinese law, mailing live animals and dangerous items is prohibited, raising concerns about online sales.
Chinese media outlets and officials have warned that venomous snakes are not harmless pets, noting the risk to owners, families, and public safety if an animal escapes or bites someone. Even Qi cautioned against impulsive purchases, urging people without proper experience or safety equipment not to keep venomous snakes.
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Several major platforms have since removed listings for the species, while safer Gary-themed merchandise, including plush toys and blind box collectibles, has surged in popularity instead.