Vicuna

/vɪkˈuːnə/

/vɪkˈjunə/

[noun]

Vicuna

[NOUN]

a small, elegant camelid species native to the high Andean regions of South America

synonyms : Vicugna vicugna

What is a "Vicuña"?

The vicuña is a small, slender camelid species native to the high Andean regions of South America, particularly in Peru, Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina. They are known for their elegant appearance, with a graceful neck, slender legs, and a soft, dense coat of fur that is prized for its quality. Vicuñas are social animals that live in small herds and are well adapted to survive in the harsh conditions of the high-altitude Andean environments. They are herbivores, primarily feeding on grasses and other vegetation, and have specialized physiological adaptations that allow them to thrive at high elevations. Vicuñas are also known for their cultural significance and have been protected due to their endangered status. In recent years, conservation efforts have helped to stabilize and increase the vicuña populations, and they are considered a conservation success story.

a soft wool fabric made from the fleece of the vicuna

the wool of the vicuna

Examples

1. [Woman] Alpaca-vicuna, which is like an alpaca. -

2. Vicuña wool is very soft, but can only be harvested every few years.

3. We saw beautiful animals, we saw this vicuña in the Bolivian Altiplano, a rare cousin of a llama.

4. Minutes later, Eddie found himself being led to row 37, seat E of the aircraft-- economy class-- where a petite woman in a white Vicuna turtleneck and gray flannel slacks sat sandwiched between two passengers.

Nearby words