Скачать или смотреть Facts About Vicuña

Here are 50 interesting facts about the Vicuña — one of the most elegant animals of the Andes:

1. The vicuña is one of the two wild ancestors of the alpaca.


2. It belongs to the camelid family, along with llamas and camels.


3. Vicuñas live high in the Andes Mountains of South America.


4. They are found in Peru, Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina.


5. Vicuñas can live at altitudes over 4,000 meters (13,000 feet).


6. Their blood contains extra red blood cells to handle low oxygen.


7. The vicuña has one of the finest natural fibers in the world.


8. Vicuña wool is softer and warmer than cashmere.


9. Their fiber measures about 12 microns in diameter.


10. Vicuña wool is extremely expensive and rare.


11. Vicuñas were sacred animals to the Inca civilization.


12. The Incas protected vicuñas and practiced sustainable shearing.


13. Killing a vicuña was punishable by death in Inca times.


14. Vicuñas are sheared every two to three years.


15. They must be captured alive for shearing, not killed.


16. Vicuñas are herbivores, feeding on grasses and alpine plants.


17. They have split upper lips to help them graze efficiently.


18. Vicuñas drink water regularly, unlike camels.


19. They are smaller and slimmer than llamas and alpacas.


20. An adult vicuña weighs around 40–50 kilograms.


21. Vicuñas live in family groups led by a dominant male.


22. Bachelor males form separate groups.


23. They are very territorial animals.


24. Dominant males defend their area aggressively.


25. Vicuñas communicate using high-pitched whistling sounds.


26. They have excellent eyesight to detect predators.


27. Main predators include pumas and foxes.


28. Vicuñas run fast and can reach speeds of 50 km/h.


29. They prefer open grasslands where they can see danger coming.


30. Their padded feet help them walk on rocky terrain.


31. Vicuñas have long necks for scanning their surroundings.


32. Their fur color blends with the Andean landscape.


33. Calves are called “crías.”


34. A vicuña calf can stand shortly after birth.


35. Mothers are very protective of their young.


36. Gestation lasts about 11 months.


37. Vicuñas usually give birth to one calf at a time.


38. They are active during the day, making them diurnal.


39. Vicuñas rest during the hottest part of the day.


40. They are extremely shy and alert animals.


41. Vicuñas mark territory using dung piles.


42. These dung piles help fertilize the soil.


43. Vicuñas play an important role in Andean ecosystems.


44. Their grazing helps maintain grassland balance.


45. Vicuñas were once endangered due to overhunting.


46. Conservation efforts helped their population recover.


47. Today, vicuñas are protected by international law.


48. Only licensed communities are allowed to shear them.


49. Vicuña fiber products can cost tens of thousands of dollars.


50. The vicuña is a national symbol of Peru.