7/11/2003: Vicunas

Undertoad · 07-11-2003, 12:58 PM

These are vicunas, in a corral in Peru.

Turns out they are raised by Peruvians for their wool. For years they were endangered, as vicuna wool became trendy for a while. It's used to create the most expensive fabric in the world: super light, super warm, and super expensive. The wool is finer than cashmere. Poachers relentlessly bagged the animals for ages, then the Peruvian government stepped in and said no more of this and set up a program to save them. For a while the fabric was banned outright; now the animals are thriving as livestock and the fabric is back on the market.

Why do they produce the finest wool? Because they adapted to the high elevations of the Andes, so they needed a really warm coat.

linknoid · 07-11-2003, 02:28 PM

But what do they look like? All you can see are their heads, not their bodies. Their heads do look unlike any animal I've seen before, but I wish we could at least see one in full.

bmgb · 07-11-2003, 02:56 PM

Image stolen from http://orbita.starmedia.com/~animali...lia/vicuna.htm

Undertoad · 07-11-2003, 03:16 PM

I actually had this one before and forgot to post it!

xoxoxoBruce · 07-11-2003, 04:44 PM

I would imagine that farming them instead of poaching means shearing yearly instead of shooting ad shearing once.

Elspode · 07-11-2003, 08:56 PM

They're sort of like skinny llamas.

Odd_Bloke · 07-12-2003, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Elspode
They're sort of like skinny llamas.

That's exactly what I was thinking. :p

bjlhct · 07-12-2003, 01:46 PM

I want one!

blase · 07-12-2003, 11:08 PM

See my vest, see my vest!
made of real gorilla chest!

Slithy_Tove · 07-12-2003, 11:25 PM

Their heads do look unlike any animal I've seen before [...]

They look like camels' heads to me, which isn't surprising, because vicunas, alpacas, llamas, and camels are all related.

No, wait, llamas are different, they're more related to aimbot users and wall hackers. Oh, I'm so confused.

xoxoxoBruce · 07-13-2003, 02:14 AM

Quote:

No, wait, llamas are different, they're more related to aimbot users and wall hackers. Oh, I'm so confused.

You may be the next J.K. Rowling.

modernhamlet · 07-13-2003, 02:26 PM

I wonder if their fur is anything like alpaca. I have an alpaca wool rug. It is nothing short of wonderful. Thick, soft, warm. Mmm...

Leus · 07-14-2003, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by modernhamlet
I wonder if their fur is anything like alpaca. I have an alpaca wool rug. It is nothing short of wonderful. Thick, soft, warm. Mmm...

Yup, pretty close to alpaca.

Another thing that Vicuñas (yep, that's the correct spelling), Guanacos and Llamas have in common is the fact they like to spit on people

07-11-2003, 12:58 PM	#1
Undertoad Radical Centrist Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Cottage of Prussia Posts: 31,423	7/11/2003: Vicunas These are vicunas, in a corral in Peru. Turns out they are raised by Peruvians for their wool. For years they were endangered, as vicuna wool became trendy for a while. It's used to create the most expensive fabric in the world: super light, super warm, and super expensive. The wool is finer than cashmere. Poachers relentlessly bagged the animals for ages, then the Peruvian government stepped in and said no more of this and set up a program to save them. For a while the fabric was banned outright; now the animals are thriving as livestock and the fabric is back on the market. Why do they produce the finest wool? Because they adapted to the high elevations of the Andes, so they needed a really warm coat.

07-11-2003, 02:56 PM	#3
bmgb Master of the Domain Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: MN Posts: 231	Image stolen from http://orbita.starmedia.com/~animali...lia/vicuna.htm Attached Images __________________ That gun will replace your tongue. You will learn to speak through it. And your poetry will be written in blood. - Nobody

07-11-2003, 04:44 PM	#5
xoxoxoBruce The future is unwritten Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 71,105	I would imagine that farming them instead of poaching means shearing yearly instead of shooting ad shearing once. __________________ The descent of man ~ Nixon, Friedman, Reagan, Trump.

07-11-2003, 08:56 PM	#6
Elspode When Do I Get Virtual Unreality? Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Raytown, Missouri Posts: 12,719	They're sort of like skinny llamas. __________________ "To those of you who are wearing ties, I think my dad would appreciate it if you took them off." - Robert Moog

07-12-2003, 11:25 PM	#10
Slithy_Tove Disorderly Orderly Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Philly 'burbs, PA, USA Posts: 52	Their heads do look unlike any animal I've seen before [...] They look like camels' heads to me, which isn't surprising, because vicunas, alpacas, llamas, and camels are all related. No, wait, llamas are different, they're more related to aimbot users and wall hackers. Oh, I'm so confused. __________________ == Tove A rainbow rat, a checkered cat...

07-11-2003, 02:28 PM	#2
linknoid Superior Inhabitant Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 74	But what do they look like? All you can see are their heads, not their bodies. Their heads do look unlike any animal I've seen before, but I wish we could at least see one in full.

07-11-2003, 03:16 PM	#4
Undertoad Radical Centrist Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Cottage of Prussia Posts: 31,423	I actually had this one before and forgot to post it!

07-12-2003, 01:46 PM	#8
bjlhct Theremin Master Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 73	I want one!

07-12-2003, 11:08 PM	#9
blase Coronation Incarnate Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Boulder, CO Posts: 91	See my vest, see my vest! made of real gorilla chest!

07-13-2003, 02:26 PM	#12
modernhamlet Regulator of Squalor Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 37	I wonder if their fur is anything like alpaca. I have an alpaca wool rug. It is nothing short of wonderful. Thick, soft, warm. Mmm...

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