Gary from Zootopia 2 is a hit in China. Now young people are buying venomous pit vipers

Qi Weihao recently welcomed a new family member – a beautiful, highly venomous, blue snake.

The 21-year-old from central Jiangxi province bought the Indonesian pit viper for 1,850 yuan ($260) two days after the release of Disney’s animated hit “Zootopia 2” on November 26.

Qi’s favorite character was also the franchise’s newest: Gary De’Snake, believed to be inspired by the Southeast Asian serpent.

As a reptile lover, Qi had long wanted a blue snake, but he finally went ahead and got one after seeing the positive and adorable portrayal of the snake character, voiced by Ke Huy Quan.

“Zootopia 2 helps give reptile pets a better image – they’re not oddballs; and Gary is the most representative character among them,” Qi told CNN. “I love his enthusiastic attitude and his sense of responsibility.”