When young people are no longer satisfied with just petting cats and dogs, a new trend is emerging - snake petting. As China ushers in the Year of the Snake in 2025, the country is witnessing a boom in its exotic pet market.
Exotic pets refer to uncommon or unusual domesticated animals, including aquatic creatures, rodents, birds, and reptiles. Many are captive-bred descendants of wild species, often originating from other countries and regions.
At a store in Shanghai, customers interacted with pet snakes and leopard geckos under staff guidance.
The exotic pet market is booming.
Reptiles, particularly snakes, emerge as favorites among young pet enthusiasts. This surge in interest reflects a broader shift in China's pet culture traditionally dominated by cats and dogs.
According to the Petdata.cn's 2025 China Pet Industry White Paper, approximately 17.07 million Chinese now keep exotic pets. The market has swelled to nearly 10 billion yuan (US$1.37 billion), with reptile ownership alone surging by 2.9 percentage points to reach 11.3 percent of all exotic pet owners.
The financial accessibility of snake ownership has also contributed to its growing appeal. Basic snake species can cost from a few hundred to a few thousand yuan, with feeding expenses averaging just over 10 yuan per month.
The affordability combined with low care requirements makes them particularly attractive to young urban dwellers managing demanding work schedules.
Though relatively niche, the industry operates within specific legal frameworks.
A staff of the exotic pet experience store emphasizes, noting that the snakes they handle are captive-bred for multiple generations, resulting in stable temperaments, unlike their wild counterparts.
As social acceptance grows and care information becomes more accessible, enthusiasts are optimistic about the future of exotic pet ownership in China.
Related News:
Overseas trailer: Appreciating classic quotes from 'Nezha 2' in English translation
Comment