Super Bird House, located in Wujiaochang, Yangpu District, has set up a special display case for reptiles, where king snakes and corn snakes coil around their bodies, welcoming waves of enthusiastic citizens. "Recently, pet snakes have been selling quite well, about 10 a day, which is about the same as the sales of dogs in the store," said a staff member.
Shenchu Guimo, an interactive pet store located in Huangpu District, has also become a beneficiary of the exotic pet economy. The store's glass display cases house various reptiles, including snakes, lizards, and even niche species like spiders. An interactive area is also set up, attracting visitors who frequently purchase tickets to experience the pets.
The exotic pet economy is gaining momentum and has become a "new force" in the pet market. According to data from the "2025 China Pet Industry White Paper," the Chinese exotic pet market is projected to reach 7.68 billion yuan by 2026, with reptiles expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 19.8%.
Why do people fall in love with exotic pets that seem "keep away"? And who are the people keeping them? During the Spring Festival holiday, reporters conducted interviews to find out.
"This corn snake feels nice to touch. I used to be a little afraid of snakes, but after actually touching it, I found it to be kind of cute." Xiaoxin followed her friend to Shenchu Guimo and began her first experience of touching a snake.
During the Spring Festival, many people like her visited the store. Currently, the store's main offer is an 88 yuan two-hour pet experience package, where customers can choose any of the store's pets to interact with under the guidance of the staff. "We can serve more than 40 people every day on weekends, and there are even queues at the door on the busiest days," a staff member told reporters.
At an interactive petting shop in Huangpu District, young people are seen petting snakes.
The 8,000-square-meter Super Bird Bureau was bustling with activity during the Spring Festival. Many parents brought their children to the interactive area to experience feeding the marmots or observing the reptiles through the glass. "Before 2010, there weren't many resources for this kind of product in China. It only started to develop gradually from 2018 onwards. This year happens to be the Year of the Snake, so we specially prepared five or six pet snake species. Some of them in the display cases have already been pre-ordered and are waiting for their owners to pick them up after the New Year," said Lu Jin, a shop assistant.
Why are people increasingly fond of exotic pets? Lu Jin believes that events like the Asia Pet Fair now have dedicated booths for exotic pets, increasing opportunities to come into contact with them. Parents are also more open-minded about their children keeping exotic pets. "More and more children are taking a liking to these animals and are even bolder than their parents when it comes to touching them."
Meerkats at Super Bird Bureau store.
The enthusiasm of many young people for keeping exotic pets is the result of a combination of factors, including the pursuit of individuality, stress relief, and the need for companionship.
"Snakes and lizards are actually quite interactive. Once you get to know them, it's quite comfortable to handle and pet them occasionally." Lu Jin himself keeps hundreds of snakes. Besides his genuine love for them, the ease of keeping them is also an important reason why he chose exotic pets.
These reptiles may seem unapproachable, but from a care perspective, they are actually easier to keep and suitable for beginners. Unlike cats and dogs, they don't require daily feeding, companionship, or play, making them a "lazy person's dream."
