Any vicunas for sale in the United States are most likely paco-vicunas. These specialized animals have specific traits of both the alpaca and its ancestor, the vicuna. The purebred vicuna has not been domesticated and vicuna fiber is only obtained with great difficulty from animals in the wild.
Although it was once thought that the alpaca developed from the guanaco, DNA evidence shows that the vicuna also had an influence in its development. The vicuna is native to South America. It is found primarily in the central Andes. The greatest number is in Peru with others in north-western Argentina, Bolivia and northern Chile. There is also an introduced group in central Ecuador.
The vicuna is very slender. The legs and neck are thin and the head wedge-shaped. It has large, round eyes and a long woolly coat. The wool is a reddish brown or light cinnamon color. The under parts are a dirty white. On the chest at the base of the neck is a tuft of silky white hairs which are 8 to 12 inches long.
The height is about 3 feet at the shoulder. The animal varies between 77 to 100 pounds depending on age and sex. Vicunas move by pacing, that is, both right legs move forward followed by both left legs. If in danger, they can run at nearly 30 miles per hour. They can maintain high speeds for great distances.
An adaptation of the animal to the high altitudes at which it lives (10 to 16 thousand feet) is its heart which is half as big again as the hearts of animals of a similar weight. They graze on the slopes during daylight and return to the more mountainous regions at night. They are quick to disappear if they are the least bit alarmed. Shearing takes place about every third year. When the Incas had control of the area, vicuna fiber was only used for garments worn by royalty.
Unlike the vicuna, the paco-vicuna can be tamed and is farmed commercially for its fleece. The wool is almost as valuable as pure vicuna fiber. Breeders are working on developing higher quality fleeces. The yarn produces very warm products. This is because the fibers are hollow and filled with air. The fibers have tiny scales which interlock, trapping more air and providing efficient insulation against the cold.
Vicuna fiber is finer than any other yarn. Each strand measures perhaps 12 micrometers in diameter. Exquisite accessories and garments are produced from Baby Alpaca Yarn which has these same warmth-giving qualities. The various shades are all natural colors. The paco-vicuna industry is still in its early days and finding vicunas for sale may be difficult.
Although it was once thought that the alpaca developed from the guanaco, DNA evidence shows that the vicuna also had an influence in its development. The vicuna is native to South America. It is found primarily in the central Andes. The greatest number is in Peru with others in north-western Argentina, Bolivia and northern Chile. There is also an introduced group in central Ecuador.
The vicuna is very slender. The legs and neck are thin and the head wedge-shaped. It has large, round eyes and a long woolly coat. The wool is a reddish brown or light cinnamon color. The under parts are a dirty white. On the chest at the base of the neck is a tuft of silky white hairs which are 8 to 12 inches long.
The height is about 3 feet at the shoulder. The animal varies between 77 to 100 pounds depending on age and sex. Vicunas move by pacing, that is, both right legs move forward followed by both left legs. If in danger, they can run at nearly 30 miles per hour. They can maintain high speeds for great distances.
An adaptation of the animal to the high altitudes at which it lives (10 to 16 thousand feet) is its heart which is half as big again as the hearts of animals of a similar weight. They graze on the slopes during daylight and return to the more mountainous regions at night. They are quick to disappear if they are the least bit alarmed. Shearing takes place about every third year. When the Incas had control of the area, vicuna fiber was only used for garments worn by royalty.
Unlike the vicuna, the paco-vicuna can be tamed and is farmed commercially for its fleece. The wool is almost as valuable as pure vicuna fiber. Breeders are working on developing higher quality fleeces. The yarn produces very warm products. This is because the fibers are hollow and filled with air. The fibers have tiny scales which interlock, trapping more air and providing efficient insulation against the cold.
Vicuna fiber is finer than any other yarn. Each strand measures perhaps 12 micrometers in diameter. Exquisite accessories and garments are produced from Baby Alpaca Yarn which has these same warmth-giving qualities. The various shades are all natural colors. The paco-vicuna industry is still in its early days and finding vicunas for sale may be difficult.
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Jefferson Farms is a top provider of Vicunas for sale. Contact them today for more information! (http://www.jeffersonfarmsnaturalfibers.com/)
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