Tiny monkeys no bigger than a thumb are being sold illegally in China and used as accessories by the country's nouveau riche.

These little primates are thought to be pygmy marmosets, the world's smallest monkey, they are being priced at up to 30,000 Yuan (£3,140), reports the People's Daily Online.

Pygmy marmosets are native to rainforests of Western Amazon Basin in South America, but they are becoming increasingly popular as exotic pets in China especially as gifts to celebrate the Year of the Monkey.

Cute: Pygmy marmosets are being sold illegally in China as pets among the super rich (file photo)

Illegal: Although buying and selling monkey is against the law in China, they're being traded as pets (file photo)

According to the report, the tiny animals have been given the nickname of 'thumb monkeys' in China and they have become the new star pet among wealthy people in the country.

One such man surnamed Chen is the owner of a jewellery business.

He showcased what he referred to as a 'New Year mascot' on China's Twitter-like social media platform Weibo.

His post said: 'Snow skin leopards and red-crowned cranes have nothing on my New Year's gift. Please meet Xiao Shen.'

A wave of comments among his friends on WeChat came after the post.

Chen then wrote a reply that said: 'My friend is selling and it costs 30,000 Yuan (£3,140).'

Adorable: These tiny primates have been given the nickname of 'thumb monkeys' in China (file photo)

Threatened: Pygmy marmosets are native to rainforests in the Amazon Basin in South America, but they are becoming increasingly popular as exotic pets in China (file photo)

The monkeys are smaller than mice and cling on to a person's thumb as if to be hugging it.

An official expert who was not named spoke to local reporters: 'Buying and selling are certainly not legal. Not only one governmental bodies are supervising this.'

The official also said the monkey is not native to China, so it not only involves the protection of wildlife, but also quarantine.

They have to be able to adapt to the environment, as pygmy marmosets are native to the Amazon, survival in China could be extremely difficult.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT PYGMY MARMOSETS? Pygmy marmosets are the smallest monkey's in the world. They average about five inches, with a tail that grows to about eight inches. Native exclusively to rainforests of Western Amazon Basin in South America. They like to eat grasshoppers and make high pitched clicks, squeaks and whistles. The pygmy marmoset is becoming increasingly popular as an exotic pet, but they are very hard to keep. International Union for Conservation of Nature's have listed them on their red list of threatened species. Pygmy marmosets are listed as 'Least Concern' with no major threats resulting in a significant population decline. They are undergoing some localized declines, due mainly to habitat loss in the rainforests and international trade. Source: International Union for Conservation Advertisement

The tiny monkeys are becoming increasingly popular as exotic pets for their cuteness and size but they are very hard to keep.

According to a-zanimals.com, when a baby pygmy marmoset is taken away from the family it can often die quickly due to depression.

A spokesman from the World Animal Protection spoke to the MailOnline about keeping these animals as pets:

'It is obvious to see why these incredibly endearing animals have appeal but people must remember they are wild animals and they must live out their lives in their natural environment – not as a curio for someone as a pet.

'They have specific needs that cannot be met in a domestic environment and keeping them as pets is not only cruel but highly irresponsible.'

Pigmy marmosets are on the the International Union for Conservation of Nature's red list of threatened species under 'Least Concern.'

The species has a relatively wide distribution range, and there are no major threats resulting in a significant population decline.