Mary Allen
Vicunas are safe amblers who, with their sharp nails and flexible toes, can move safely even on steep slopes. Male leader animals are territorial and defend their territory, vicuñas mark their territory boundaries by sharing faeces. Because of the demand for their fine wool, the vicunas are heavily hunted.
Why is vicuna so expensive?
The vicuna belongs to the camel family and lives exclusively in the wild in South America. For this reason, the extraction of fur is very complex and the price is correspondingly high.
What is Vicuna wool?
Vicuna wool is the finest and rarest natural fiber in the world. A skein of Vicuna wool measures approximately 12 microns, which is 12 thousandths of a millimeter. That’s about 7 microns finer than the best cashmere.
How much does a vicuna cost?
The price for the raw material is up to 15 euros per ounce, which corresponds to a kilo price of around 530 euros. After washing, deawning and spinning, the price increases to up to 10,000 euros. This makes it very clear: Vikunja wool is the finest yarn in the world.
Can you keep vicunas in Germany?
Vicunas and guanacos, on the other hand, are wild animals that were temporarily threatened with extinction. They are subject to the Washington Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species. The keeping of guanacos is subject to approval, the private keeping of vicunas is almost impossible. The district office serves as the first point of contact.
What is the most expensive wool in the world?
The wool of the vicuna is considered to be the rarest and most expensive in the world; In 2010 it traded for about 7-15 euros per ounce.
How old can a vicuna get?
| relatives | Even-toed ungulates, callus soles (7 species), vicuña (2 subspecies) |
| habitat | Screes and grasslands from 3500 to 5500 meters above sea level |
| way of life | diurnal, territorial |
| social structure | small harem groups, young males in small groups, older males also as loners |
| lining | grasses, herbs |
| weight | 40 to 55 kg, newborns up to 8 kg |
| shoulder height | 85 to 100 cm |
| head torso length | 135 cm |
| tail length | 25 cm |
| gestation period | 11 to 12 months |
| litter size | 1 young, rarely 2 |
| sexual maturity | 2 years |
| Life expectancy | 20 years |
| use | wool, fur (finest wool) |
| Current inventory | around 1965 there were still 6,000 animals, today around 350,000 animals, illegal hunting is increasing again, 200 animals in 48 zoos |
| At Zurich Zoo since | 1947, 110 young animals, internationally coordinated breeding (EEP), head of breeding at Zurich Zoo |
What do vicunas eat?
Vicunas are very choosy and eat almost exclusively selected grasses. They grasp this with their upper, forked lip and press the grass against their palate to tear it off. The Vikunja also always stays close to water because it has to drink every day.
Where do the vicunas live?
Habitat: Vicunas live in South America, especially in Peru and Bolivia. They feel most comfortable on grassy plateaus in the mountains.
What is the difference between guanaco and vicuna?
Vicuna (Vicugna vicugna) or Vicuña resemble the guanacos in their physique, but are smaller and slimmer. The head-torso length is about 150 centimeters, the shoulder height 100 centimeters with a weight of 50 kilograms.