UPDATE: A troubling trend has emerged in China following the release of Zootopia 2, which has quickly become one of the highest-grossing films of 2025. Children across the country are now demanding highly dangerous blue pit vipers as pets, inspired by the movie’s character, Gary De’Snake.
The animated portrayal of Gary, a blue snake with a gentle nature, has captivated young audiences. However, the real-life counterpart is a highly venomous pit viper whose bite can be fatal to adults. This alarming demand follows the film’s impressive earnings of approximately $503 million in China, with reports confirming a significant surge in the prices of blue Indonesian pit vipers on various e-commerce platforms.
Recent data from Dexerto highlights the potential dangers of this trend. A boy named Qi Weihao, from Jiangxi Province, shared with CNN that he purchased a blue pit viper just two days after watching the film. Weihao, an experienced reptile handler, emphasized how Gary’s character has positively shifted the public’s perception of snakes in China. However, he cautioned that many who follow this trend may lack the necessary experience to handle such dangerous pets safely.
Officials are now expressing concern over the implications of this trend. As young fans idolize Gary De’Snake, the demand for venomous snakes could lead to tragic outcomes if inexperienced individuals choose to adopt them without proper precautions.
Authorities are urging parents to educate their children about the realities of owning exotic pets, particularly venomous ones. The rising trend underscores the need for increased awareness surrounding the responsibilities of pet ownership, especially when it involves potentially lethal animals.
As the story develops, keep an eye on how government bodies and wildlife organizations respond to this alarming situation.
This urgent update highlights the intersection of popular culture and real-life consequences, reminding us that what captivates children on-screen can sometimes lead to dangerous outcomes in reality.
