Vicuña

Vicuña, ruminant mammal belonging to the camel family. The animal is native to the Andes in Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia and is a close relative of the domesticated llama. Vicuñas are small, slender animals with orange-red fur. They generally roam in small herds and have never been successfully domesticated. They are much hunted for their hides and for their wool, which is valued for weaving. The term vicuña is applied to the fabrics manufactured from the wool of the animal, and also to textile fabrics made from the wool of the merino sheep in imitation of natural vicuña. Such fabrics generally resemble serge in weave but are fuller and softer and have a distinct nap.

Scientific classification: The vicuña belongs to the family Camelidae. It is classified as Vicugna vicugna.