‘Zootopia 2’ mania has inspired fans to buy real venomous snakes
Zootopia 2 has reached a very important milestone. It has broken some records at the Chinese cinema and has become a cultural phenomenon of its own.
The side effects of slippery animation have spilled over into real life in alarming ways. After the release of Zootopia 2, some fans in China began searching for live snakes resembling one of the film’s most popular characters, warning them of the dangers and legal issues associated with keeping venomous reptiles.
The sequel, which premiered in November, introduced Gary De’Snake, a bright blue viper voiced by Ke Huy Quan. Depicted as intelligent, misunderstood, and ultimately compassionate, the character quickly became a household name among audiences.
As Zootopia 2 opened in Chinese theaters, fans began to visually compare Gary to real-life Indonesian vipers, locally known as island bamboo vipers, whose bright blue color closely matches the cartoon design.
The enthusiasm soon spread from social media to online marketplaces. According to regional media, searches for the blue pit viper skyrocketed on various platforms including Douyin, Xiaohongshu (Rednote) and Xianyu after the film’s release.
Sellers reportedly used coded links to Zootopia 2 or phrases like “Gary-style snake” to circumvent moderation rules, with prices ranging from about 300 to 3,000 yuan, or about $40 to $425. Some buyers admitted they were directly motivated by the character’s portrayal, saying the film had softened their perception of snakes.
Following the film’s release, Chinese state media reported a surge in online searches for the Indonesian pit viper and rising prices on major e-commerce platforms. While raising the snake is not illegal under Chinese law, sending live animals and dangerous items through the mail is prohibited, raising concerns about online sales.
Chinese media and officials have warned that venomous snakes are not harmless pets, pointing out the dangers to owners, families and public safety if the animal escapes or bites someone. Even Qi Xi warned against impulse buying, urging people without the proper experience or safety equipment not to keep venomous snakes.
Financially, the sequel was a huge success in China, grossing over 3.55 billion yuan, or about $503 million, making it the highest-grossing foreign animated film in the country to date. But along with that achievement, the snake-buying craze became a cautionary tale about fandom overstepping its bounds and the responsibility that comes with portraying real animals through the prism of charm and humor.
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