Vertebrate Zoology

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vicuña

The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed. | 2011 | Copyright

vicuña , wild South American hoofed mammal, Vicugna vicugna, the smallest member of the camel family. It is 30 in. (75 cm) high at the shoulder, with a long, slender neck and pale, fawn coloring. Vicuñas live in herds on high plateaus of the Andes, at altitudes of 14,000 to 18,000 ft (4,300–5,500 m); they feed on grasses and other vegetation.

Their fleece is exceptionally soft and silky, and in the time of the Incas was reserved for royal robes. The vicuña has never been successfully domesticated; wild herds were rounded up for shearing. Hunted to the verge of extinction for its wool and flesh, it is now protected and has recovered. Today wool is harvested from animals in the wild and others confined to ranches or enclosed ranges.

The vicuña is classified in the phylum Chordata , subphylum Vertebrata, class Mammalia, order Artiodactyla, family Camelidae.

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vicuña

World Encyclopedia | 2005 | Copyright

vicuña Graceful, even-toed, hoofed South American mammal. The smallest member of the camel family, it is humpless and resembles the llama. Its silky coat is tawny brown with a yellowish bib under the neck. Vicuña wool was used by the Inca kings and is still expensive and rare. Height: 86cm (34in) at the shoulder; weight: 45kg (100lb). Family Camelidae; species Vicugna vicugna.

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"vicuña." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-vicua.html

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vicuña

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English | 2009 | Copyright

vi·cu·ña / vīˈk(y)oōnə və-; ˈkoōnyə/ • n. a mammal (Vicugna vicugna) of the camel family, a wild relative of the llama, inhabiting mountainous regions of South America and valued for its fine silky wool. ∎ cloth made from this wool, or an imitation of it.

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"vicuña." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-vicuna.html

"vicuña." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-vicuna.html

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vicuna

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology | 1996 | | Copyright

vicuna S. Amer. animal allied to the llama XVII; vicuna cloth XIX. — Sp. vicun̄a (Pg. vicunha) — Quechua.

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T. F. HOAD. "vicuna." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

T. F. HOAD. "vicuna." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-vicuna.html

T. F. HOAD. "vicuna." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-vicuna.html

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vicuña

A Dictionary of Zoology | 1999 | | Copyright

vicuña (Lama vicugna) See CAMELIDAE.

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MICHAEL ALLABY. "vicuña." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

MICHAEL ALLABY. "vicuña." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-vicua.html

MICHAEL ALLABY. "vicuña." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-vicua.html

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vicuña

Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes | 2007 | Copyright

vicuña •belladonna, Connor, donna, goner, gonna, honour (US honor), Maradona, Mashona, O'Connor, Shona, wanna •corner, fauna, forewarner, Lorna, Morna, mourner, sauna, scorner, suborner, warner •softener • Faulkner •downer, uptowner •sundowner •Arizona, Barcelona, boner, condoner, corona, Cremona, Desdemona, donor, Fiona, groaner, Iona, Jonah, kroner, Leona, loaner, loner, moaner, Mona, owner, Pamplona, persona, postponer, Ramona, stoner, toner, Valona, Verona, Winona •landowner • homeowner • shipowner •coiner, joiner, purloiner •crooner, harpooner, lacuna, lacunar, lampooner, Luna, lunar, mizuna, Oona, oppugner, Poona, pruner, puna, schooner, spooner, Tristan da Cunha, tuna, tuner, Una, vicuña, yokozuna •honeymooner • Sunna • Brookner •koruna