Zootopia 2 hype fuels risky interest in venomous blue snake, exposing gaps in China's exotic pet market

(ECNS) - The popularity of the animated film Zootopia 2 has triggered online interest in a real-life blue venomous snake that resembles one of the film's characters, prompting renewed warnings about public safety and even deeper problems in China's exotic pet market.

As film-related merchandise continues to sell strongly, some viewers have turned their attention to the "island bamboo pit viper," a rare, blue-colored snake said to resemble the character "Gary." Experts warned that the species is highly venomous, however, and that both its sale and private ownership pose significant risks, according to media reports.

Industry observers said the mix of hype-driven demand, weak oversight and limited consumer awareness has created safety and compliance risks, calling for greater caution from the public and stronger enforcement in the exotic pet trade.

Snake keepers and science communicators said that some members of the public, drawn by the animal's appearance, have sought advice online on how to buy or raise similar reptiles, despite having limited knowledge of proper care.

In reality, venomous snakes are typically aggressive and can cause severe injury or death if bitten, said He, a pet snake blogger from Sichuan Province in southwestern China.

Experienced keepers warned that even non-fatal bites can result in serious tissue damage. They added that access to antivenom varies by region, making the danger even greater, especially for inexperienced owners.

The sudden surge in attention has also exposed broader problems in the exotic pet market, which remains loosely regulated and highly fragmented.

"Low entry barriers," said Guo, who runs a self-breeding pet snake business in Heilongjiang Province in northeast China, have led to frequent cases of misrepresentation. Buyers often receive animals that do not match what was advertised, or are sold dangerous species under false descriptions.

Wu, a snake breeder from Anhui Province, said prices for the island bamboo pit viper spiked sharply during the peak of online interest, largely driven by film-related hype rather than the animal's actual value. After media reports drew attention to the issue, the species was removed from several online platforms, though some users continue to seek alternatives to the blue-colored species.

Experts also warned about illegal wildlife trade, noting that some sellers falsely label wild-caught snakes as captive-bred pets. These animals often carry parasites or diseases and face high mortality rates, while posing health and ecological risks.

Meanwhile, transactions are increasingly taking place through social media and informal third parties, as major e-commerce platforms tighten restrictions on live animal sales. In many cases, shipments are handled through ordinary courier services, with limited safeguards in place for either buyers or the animals themselves.

(By Zhang Jiahao)