The pygmy marmoset, listed on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature's red list of endangered species, is flying off the shelves in China, though it is illegal to sell the adorable exotic pet. Nonetheless, it goes for around $4,500, according to the People's Daily Online.
People flaunt thumb-size pet monkeys at $4,559 each in #China. But be warned: keeping, selling it are both ILLEGAL. pic.twitter.com/6NgJqF75jW
— People's Daily,China (@PDChina) February 10, 2016
The world's smallest monkey can be easily lifted with a single human finger, as its weight is no more than 4.9 ounces (114 grams), with a body size ranging from 5.5 inches (14 cm) to 6.3 inches (16 cm).
Thumb-sized monkeys catch on w/ China’s rich for the year of the monkey: https://t.co/eFAwoc3zox (daily brief) pic.twitter.com/87K2Mh5jXR
— Jing Daily | 精日传媒 (@JingDaily) February 11, 2016
Pygmy marmosets are native to the South American rainforests of the Western Amazon Basin.
One owner known as Chen posted photos of his new pet, smaller than a mouse, to his Weibo account, writing "Snow skin leopards and red-crowned cranes have nothing on my New Year's gift. Please meet Xiao Shen."
lol I know what my new back pocket insult is, you 'Thumb Monkey'! https://t.co/REjGiRRXLQ pic.twitter.com/l1HWzK2X5d
— Alex RB (@receipt_alex) February 11, 2016
Thanks to its size and undeniable charm, the tiny animals have become very popular among the wealthy in China.
