The vicuñas is the smallest of the extant camelids, weighing 45 to 55 kg and standing only 86 to 96 at the shoulder.
Unlike guanacos, vicuñas are specialist grazers of low growing forbs and perennial grass on the high puna, where their very fine wool insulates against severe cold.
Vicuñas live in family groups of between five and ten individuals, led by a dominant male. At adulthood, males leave the family to form bachelor groups of their own.
Each family group usually has two territories. The larger feeding territory may cover as much as 18.2 hectares. A smaller, more isolated territory is reserved for sleeping.
There are two recognized varieties of vicunas, the northern or Peruvian vicuna with its characteristics chest markings is found in Peru, Bolivia, and northern Chile.
The larger southern variety commonly described as the ‘Argentine’ vicuna, lacks the lighter colored chest markings and is found in Argentina and central Chile.
Vicuña lives at altitudes higher than 3,658 meters and is specially adapted to the rigors of the Andes. The vicuña fur is considered the finest in the world and it works to trap air and keep the animals warm in frigid temperatures.
Vicuñas: South American camelids
