Many ask for new electronics, clothes, or even cats or dogs for the winter holidays, but some had a different idea for 2025. In the midst of the holiday season, on November 26th of 2025, Zootopia released a sequel: Zootopia 2. The film featured the beloved characters of Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde, as well as a groundbreaking new addition of Gary De’Snake.
Gary De’Snake is an Indonesian Blue Pit Viper, whose venom is hemotoxic. Hemotoxic means that the injecting of the venom into a human or animal leads to tissue damage, swelling, intense pain, and in more severe cases, requires immediate medical attention, (“Island Pit Viper – Venomous Snake in Bali”). Disney portrays this dangerous creature as a misunderstood and lovable guy, whose sole goal is to vindicate his family legacy. As a result of the Disneyfication of the animal, people have begun to purchase Indonesian blue pit vipers as pets.
The movie Zootopia 2 grew to be one of the highest grossing animated movies in the world, specifically in China. The film amassed over $503 million (3.55 billion yuan) in China alone. Thus, two days after the movie’s release, 21-year old Qi Weihao became the first to purchase one of these snakes. Weihao spent $260 (1850 yuan) on his new pet. Many others took inspiration from Weihoa’s purchase, and by the end of 2025, over 50% of all reptilian pets in China were snakes, (“Gary from Zootopia 2 Is a Hit in China. Now Young People Are Buying Venomous Pit Vipers”).
To no one’s surprise, most of the members of society purchasing a venomous snake are a part of Generation-Z. The influence of media on Generation-Z is evident. Regardless of the increasing prices of snakes, people continue to purchase it, deeming this the next micro-trend. Generation-Z shocks the world with their trends, and this one was no exception. What’s next for 2026, we’ll have to wait and see.
