Mainland youngsters are caring for a new type of fur baby: mango pits. And though some may find the trend strange, “mango parents” have described grooming their furry pits as a form of stress relief.

Many of them show off their mango "pets" – which look like elongated Tribbles from Star Trek – and exchange tips on how to best “raise” them on social media platforms such as Xiaohongshu.

Enthusiasts say it is a therapeutic way to pass the time. One of them, a college student surnamed Liu, has kept an online journal about how she is raising her two mango pits.

"When I took them out in school, my classmates thought they were hamsters," Liu wrote on social media.

Others say that a mango pit’s furry texture is comparable to cats and dogs.

Online images show that mango pit owners use a toothbrush to brush off pulp until the yellow colour of the fruit is completely removed, before drying it with a blowdryer and exposing it to the sun to avoid mildew growth.

Some creative enthusiasts are even adding googly eyes and colour to their mango pits, while others have redesigned them them into handbags, bookmarks and hair clips.

Despite the growing trend, some have raised concerns about youth mental health and slammed youngsters for having "nothing better to do".

In June, the youth unemployment rate hit a record high 21.3 percent, sparking calls for greater policy support for fresh graduates who are struggling to find work.

And this is not the only unusual habit picked up by Chinese youngsters.

During Covid lockdowns, some college students were seen walking cardboard pets on campus, with many saying virtual pets could provide spiritual comfort during the pandemic.