How ‘Zootopia 2’ Accidentally Sparked a Pet Snake Craze in China
Zootopia 2 has become a massive hit in China, breaking box office records and inspiring a surge in interest for exotic pets, particularly dangerous blue snakes known as pit vipers. The character Gary De’Snake, voiced by Ke Huy Quan, has captivated children and young adults alike, prompting some, like 21-year-old Qi Weihao, to purchase venomous snakes after watching the film. While Qi had prior experience with reptiles, experts warn that owning such dangerous animals is risky.
Chinese e-commerce platforms reported spikes in searches and sales of Indonesian pit vipers, even though mailing live venomous snakes is prohibited. Although it is not strictly illegal to own a pit viper in China, authorities and state media are taking steps to curb this growing trend to prevent accidents. Listings for these snakes were being removed from major platforms within weeks of the movie’s release.
The craze reflects a larger trend in China’s exotic pet industry, which has been booming, especially among Gen Z. Snakes now account for over half of all reptile pets purchased. While Zootopia 2 did not start this trend, it amplified the fascination with exotic pets, highlighting the dangers of blindly imitating characters from films without considering real-world consequences.
source : https://www.vice.com/en/article/how-zootopia-2-accidentally-sparked-a-pet-snake-craze-in-china/ |
