Looking For Vicunas For Sale

| Sunday, October 6, 2013
By Rhea Solomon


If you are wanting to find Vicunas for sale, this could be a problem. A Vicuna is a wild animal with behavior that makes it difficult to domesticate. The Alpaca on the other hand, has a gentle nature suited to domestication. It is no wonder that farmers are choosing to breed Paco-Vicunas, combining the best traits of both.

The Vicuna is believed to be the wild ancestor of the Alpaca. They are both part of the Camelidae family but the Alpaca is domesticated. The unusual mating habits and bullish behavior of a Vicuna make it unsuitable for domestication. Its body is uniquely adapted to survive the high altitudes and the cold. It is smaller than other camels but otherwise looks much like them with a long neck, padded, cloven feet, thin legs and huge, round eyes.

The fleece of the Vicuna is not only popular because it is so fine but because it is very warm. Each fiber is air-filled and tiny, interlocking scales on the fibers create air pockets too. This super-fine soft fiber grows slowly and shearing can only take place after about three years. A Paco-Vicuna has longer, denser fibers but they are still very fine. These fibers are faster growing than those of the Vicuna.

At one point these animals almost became extinct because they were being slaughtered for their sought after fleeces. This was averted by serious conservation efforts. The governments of Bolivia, Chile, Peru and Argentina also instituted capture and shave roundups called Chacus. Locals are allowed to capture the animals, shave them and set them free again. The fibers are sold and the local communities benefit from the profits.

The conservation efforts mean that the numbers have increased once again, providing natural fibers that are amongst the finest and most expensive in the world. However, the yield from these wild animals is not that high. Paco-Vacunas are now found on a number of farms in North America as farmers want to benefit from the traits of both the Alpaca and the Vicuna, producing quality fleece in a domesticated setting.

The aim of breeders is to line breed for the purest Vicuna genetics possible, meaning the best possible fleece with the finest of fibers. Alpaca traits such as faster growing wool and gentler dispositions are also desired. The micron count of fibers is an important factor as this refers to fineness.

There are not that many Paco-Vicunas yet on these farms in North America. However, numbers are beginning to grow as interest increases and people begin to recognize the benefits. A registry of information is kept and the animals are required to be DNA tested. They are given one of six classifications and are also micro chipped.

Breeding these animals offers an excellent money making opportunity. If you are wanting to find Vicunas for sale, there are a number of breeding farms with online websites. An online search shows stock available for purchase with photographs for viewing.




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