Mr. Big in Zootopia is an Arctic shrew. This small, yet powerful animal was chosen because Arctic shrews are known to be surprisingly vicious predators in the wild.

Character Details

• Mr. Big is portrayed as a tiny, elderly Arctic shrew, distinguished by his slicked-back hair, bushy eyebrows, and a sharp suit.

• Despite his size, he commands great respect and fear as the crime boss of Tundratown, drawing inspiration from iconic mafia figures in film.

• The filmmakers specifically selected the Arctic shrew for Mr. Big due to its reputation for needing to eat three times its body weight and its aggressive behavior, which humorously contrasts his small stature with his formidable influence.

Fun Fact

• In the animal kingdom, Arctic shrews are known to eat other shrews and consume large quantities of food, making them a symbol of aggression and tenacity despite their size.