DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT
South America. Steppe plateaus at an altitude of 3200-5800 m, above the forest border and below the snowfall.
BEHAVIOUR
Active during the day. It lives in herds, the male leads the family groups. Young males form separate bachelor groups. The big heart, compared to other
species of this size, is an adaptation to living at high altitudes.
DIET
Low, often hard grasses. Due to the daily need for water, vicuna live near water reservoirs.
REPRODUCTION
Gestation: 330-350 days. The young are able to stand on their feet after 15 minutes, from the moment of birth. Life expectancy: up to 20 years in the wild,
up to 25 years in the zoo.
GOOD TO KNOW
Andean vicuna is the smallest member of the camelid family (35-45 kg). The image of vicuña is placed in the arms of Peru.
- Latin name: Vicugna vicugna
- IUCN –Red List – LC – least concern
- CITES – Appendix I and Appendix II (concerns the population in Argentina)
- ESB – European Studbook