Peru, Vicuña, distribution in the Andes, South America

The vicuña and its habitat in the American Andes

The vicuña (vicuña vicuña), of the Quechua wik'uña, is a mammal of the family of camelids, a group of South American camelids, is identified as a symbol of Peruvian wealth to such an extent that its slender figure appears in the Shield National. The vicuña actually lives the entire Andean plateau, which extends from northern Argentina, western Bolivia, northeastern Chile, all of Peru, and part of Ecuador. In Peru there is the largest population.

The vicuñas are the smallest camelids, weigh between 40 and 50 kg and have a length of 80 cm. They are wild, with beige or vicuña (light reddish brown) hair on the back and white in the ventral area and legs, with variations depending on the geographical areas where they live. The vicuñas of the north are darker and have a tuft of hairs in the front of the chest. Vicuñas have long, thin legs that end in pads that allow them to walk on various types of soils, even stony ones. The fiber of its wool is among the finest in the world, with 15 microns in diameter, and forms a dense coat that protects from cold, rain and wind.

In the time of the Incas the vicuña was a protected species. After a long period in which they were exposed to extinction, in 1974, with only a population of 6,000 it was declared a "protected species". At present the population has recovered, and anqué does not reach the levels of the incanate, millions of vicuñas; is no longer considered an endangered species. However, you should not lower your guard because the threats remain (poaching, habitat loss and other threats).

We will show right away vicuñas images in the Peruvian territory, in Arequipa and Puno

In Argentina, by Jujuy, in the Andes

In Bolivia, through the Salar de Uyuni

In Chile, through the Atacama Desert

In Ecuador, by the volcano and highest mountain, the Chimborazo.

Abroad vicuñas are much appreciated, although they are not in their natural habitat, they are found in private farms and in zoos. A vicuna in Stuttgart, Germany.

References

Vicuña

https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vicugna_vicugna

Vicuña

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vicu%C3%B1a