Britannica AI Icon

vicuƱa fibre

animal-hair fibre

Quick Summary

VicuƱa fibre comes from the vicuƱa, a small South American camelid native to the Andes Mountains. This animal, closely related to the alpaca, possesses a remarkably fine, soft, and lustrous coat. The fibre, often a light cinnamon to pale white color, is strong and resilient but sensitive to chemicals. Historically, this costly fibre was reserved for Incan nobility and is used today for luxury items like coats and shawls. The vicuƱa's dense, silky fleece provides excellent insulation, a trait that made it valuable for survival in its high-altitude habitat. While once endangered due to hunting, conservation efforts have helped populations recover.1

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.