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Vicuņa
           
                       VICUŅA, common name applied to a
                        ruminant mammal, Vicugna vicugna,
                        belonging to the camel family,
                        Camelidae. The animal is native to the
                        Andes in Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia and
                        is a close relative of the domesticated
                        llama. Vicuņas are small, slender
                        animals with orange-red fur. They
                        generally roam in small herds, have never
                        been successfully domesticated, but are
                        much hunted for their hides and for their
                        wool, which is valued for weaving. The
                        term vicuņa is applied to the fabrics manufactured from the wool of the animal, and
                        also to textile fabrics made from the wool of the merino sheep in imitation of natural
                        vicuņa. Such fabrics generally resemble serge in weave but are fuller and softer and
                        have a distinct nap.