The Vicuna (Vicugna vicugna) is a camelid mammal, related to the Llama.
The Vicuna has a long neck, large ears, and big eyes. It has long, soft woolly coat of fine wool. It can tolerate freezing temperatures. It is tawny-brown on the back and white on its throat and chest.
It measures 145-160 centimetres (60 inches) tall.
The Vicuna is native to South America, in countries such as Peru, Argentina, Bolivia, and Chile. It prefers high alpine regions in the Andes mountains.
It is a grazer, eating grass.
It is a shy animal, living in family groups of a male, 5-15 females, and their young. The group lives in a small territory of about 18 square kilometres.
The female is pregnant for 11 months, before giving birth to one young, called a fawn. The mother looks after her fawn for about 10 months. It is independent after 12-18 months.
Young males form bachelor groups and young females form sorority groups.
Photographer: Martina Nicolls
Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM