Ginger the Beaver Trains with Keepers at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado Springs

Pixar creators studied Ginger the beaver, a geriatric resident of the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado Springs, as part of their research for the animated film “Hoppers,” according to verified reporting from The Denver Post.

Ginger, who had a tree allergy and was nearly 14 years old when she retired in 2022, served as a major inspiration for the film’s beaver-centric story. The Pixar team began their research with Ginger, making her the first rodent they studied during the development of “Hoppers.”

John Cody Kim, Pixar’s story supervisor on “Hoppers,” said the team frequently reflected on Ginger during production, often asking, “Remember Ginger?” as they worked to portray beavers accurately and authentically.

Although “Hoppers” initially started as a concept about penguins, Pixar executives shifted focus to beavers after noting an oversaturation of penguin-themed films. They sought an animal that was cute and fluffy but had not yet had a major presence in animation, leading them to the industrious beaver.

The film follows a young girl who transfers her mind into a robotic beaver to communicate with animals and save her treasured habitat from development. Ginger’s contribution to the film is acknowledged in the movie’s credits, where she receives a special mention.

Ginger lived at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, where keepers often placed carefully selected sticks around her habitat to encourage natural behaviors such as gnawing and exploration. Footage shared by the zoo shows Ginger engaging in these activities, including time-lapse videos of her interacting with branches and walking through her enclosure.

Pixar’s research process typically involves studying real animals to ensure accurate portrayal in their films. However, the early development of “Hoppers” coincided with the onset of the pandemic, which limited in-person observation and travel. Despite these challenges, the team relied on existing zoo resources and documented behaviors to inform their work.

Ginger passed away in 2022 at nearly 14 years old, but her influence endures through the film and the continued recognition of her role in inspiring one of Pixar’s latest stories.