What is Vicuña?
{{Taxobox | name = Vicuña | image = Vicunacrop.jpg | image_width = 250px | regnum = [[Animal]]ia | phylum = [[Chordate|Chordata]] | classis = [[Mammal]]ia | ordo = [[Artiodactyla]] | familia = [[Camelidae]] | genus = '''''Vicugna''''' | species = '''''V. vicugna''''' | binomial = ''Vicugna vicugna'' | binomial_authority = ([[Juan Ignacio Molina|Molina]], 1782) }} The '''vicuña''' (''Vicugna vicugna'') is one of two wild [[South America]]n [[camelid]]s. The vicuña is the smallest of the camelids. It has had an interesting relationship with humans over time.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MD_9KcVzukQC&dq=vicuna+relationship+with+humans&pg=PA7|title=The Vicuña: The Theory and Practice of Community Based Wildlife Management|last=Gordon|first=Iain|date=2009-01-13|publisher=Springer Science & Business Media|isbn=978-0-387-09476-2|language=en}}</ref> == General characteristics == The main colour of the soft, [[Wool|wooly]] coat (hair) is [[ochre]], light [[cinnamon]], or reddish brown. The lower part of the body, the inside of the [[Leg|legs]], and the underside of the head are white. On the [[chest]], at the base of the [[Neck (body part)|neck]], there is a 'mane' of white hairs. They can be 20-30 cm (8-12 inches) in length. The vicuña is very slender (slim). It has long neck and skinny [[Limb|limbs]]. The head is small and [[wedge]] shaped. The [[ear]]s are small and [[Triangle|triangular]]. The [[Incisor|incisors]] (front teeth) of the vicuña are always growing. It is the only [[Artiodactyl|even toed-ungulate]] with teeth that always grow. The [[Tooth enamel|enamel]] is on only one side. This is because of the tough [[Grass|grasses]] which they eat. == Distribution == The vicuña lives in [[Grassland|grasslands]] at [[Elevation|elevations]] of 3,500-5,800 meters (11,700-19,300 feet) in the [[Andes]] mountains of [[Peru]], [[Bolivia]], [[Argentina]], and [[Chile]]. ==References== {{reflist}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Vicuna}} [[Category:Camelids]] [[Category:Mammals of South America]] [[Category:Nation