Animal fibers examples: 9 common used in textile 

For centuries, people have utilized animal fibers to produce some of the most luxurious textiles worldwide. These fibers possess exceptional warmth, softness, and durability, making them perfect for creating clothing, blankets, and various textiles. Today, textile manufacturers incorporate a wide range of animal fibers, including sheep’s wool and the exquisite hair of camels and alpacas, in their products. In this topic, Ecosilky will explore 9 animal fibers examples that are commonly used in textiles, including their unique properties, sources and uses in the textile industry.

1. What is fiber animals?

Farmers raise fiber animals purposefully to obtain their fibers, which serve as raw materials in textile production. These animals yield diverse fiber types, including wool, mohair, cashmere, and silk. Manufacturers can spin these fibers into yarn and subsequently weave, knit, or crochet them to create various fabrics. Common fiber animals include sheep, goats, rabbits, alpacas, llamas, camels and silkworms.

The care and management of fiber animals require specialized knowledge and skills to ensure the health and welfare of the animals and the quality of their fibers. Fiber animals are essential to the textile industry. Because it provides raw materials for the production of a wide range of textiles, from clothing and bedding to rugs and carpets.

2. Nine animal fibers examples

2.1. Angora wool (from Angora rabbits)

The Angora rabbit produces this fiber, which originates from a breed of domestic rabbits renowned for their long and soft fur. People have selectively bred Angora rabbits for their fur for centuries due to its exceptional softness, warmth, and sheen. Unlike wool sourced from sheep, the Angora rabbit’s fur consists of long, fine and hollow fibers that effectively trap air, offering excellent insulation properties.

To obtain Angora wool, individuals carefully pluck or shear the rabbit’s fur every three to four months. The process is painless for the rabbit and does not harm the animal. After harvest, workers clean and card the wool to remove impurities and separate the fibers. Manufacturers often blend Angora wool with other fibers, such as wool or silk, to enhance its strength and durability.

Textile manufacturers utilize Angora wool to create a variety of textile products, such as sweaters, scarves, hats, and gloves. People highly value its softness and warmth, along with its capacity to spin into a fine, lightweight yarn. However, the production of Angora wool has been controversial in recent years due to concerns about animal welfare. Certain animal rights groups have expressed concerns regarding the conditions in which Angora rabbits are raised and the techniques employed for harvesting their wool. Consequently, numerous companies have either ceased the use of Angora wool in their products. Or transitioned to utilizing wool sourced from rabbits that are sheared instead of plucked.

2.2. Yak wool (from yaks) – One of animal fibers examples

Yak wool, also known as yak down or qiviut, comes from the undercoat of the domestic yak, a large mammal that is native to the Himalayan region of Asia. The textile industry highly values this material for its softness, warmth, and durability.

To harvest yak wool, the yak is combed or sheared during the molting season, which occurs in the spring and summer. The wool is then cleaned, carded and spun into yarn. Yak wool is known for its natural colors, which range from shades of brown and gray to black and white.

Textile manufacturers incorporate yak wool into a range of textile products, such as clothing, blankets, and accessories. Yak wool is especially suitable for cold weather garments due to its warmth, lightweight nature, and breathability. Yak wool is also hypoallergenic and naturally resistant to odors and moisture, making it a popular choice for outdoor enthusiasts.

2.3. Vicuña wool (from vicuña)

Vicuña wool comes from the vicuña, a small, wild South American camelid that is native to the Andes Mountains. This material is known for its extreme softness, warmth, lightness and is considered one of the rarest and most luxurious fibers in the world.

Skilled individuals carefully capture the vicuña animals to harvest their wool, followed by the meticulous process of hand-shearing. Afterward, the wool undergoes thorough hand cleaning and sorting to eliminate impurities and separate the fibers. Because of the small size of the vicuña population and the difficulty of harvesting their wool, vicuña wool is one of the most expensive and rarest fibers in the world.

In the past, only Incan royalty had exclusive access to vicuña wool. Which continues to be a status symbol for wealth in various regions. The textile industry utilizes vicuña wool in a range of luxury products, such as clothing, shawls, and scarves. Its extreme softness and warmth make it a popular choice for luxury winter wear, and its rarity and exclusivity have made it highly sought after by collectors and fashion connoisseurs.

However, in response to concerns regarding the impact of commercial harvesting on wild populations, the majority of vicuña wool production today involves captive-bred animals. These animals receive careful management to ensure their health and welfare.

2.4. Guanaco wool (from guanaco)

When discussing animal fibers examples, Guanaco wool is definitely worth mentioning. It comes from the guanaco, a wild South American camelid that is closely related to the llama and the vicuña. Guanacos inhabit Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, and Peru, where they hold value for their wool, meat, and hides. Guanaco wool stands out for its softness, durability, and wide range of natural colors, including shades of brown, gray, black, and white.

Farmers shear the guanacos during the spring and summer months, once their winter coat has fully grown. After shearing, the wool undergoes cleaning, carding, and spinning processes to transform it into yarn. Manufacturers incorporate guanaco wool into various textile products, including clothing, blankets, and accessories. It is especially suitable for crafting cold-weather garments due to its warmth, lightweight nature, and breathability.

Guanaco wool is also hypoallergenic and naturally resistant to odors and moisture, making it a popular choice for outdoor enthusiasts. Because guanacos are wild animals, harvesting their wool can be challenging and is subject to regulations to ensure their protection. However, the use of guanaco wool in the textile industry has helped to promote the conservation of these animals and their habitats by providing economic incentives for their conservation.

2.5. Bison wool (from bison)

Bison wool, also known as bison down, comes from the undercoat of the American bison, a large mammal that is native to North America. This material possesses a reputation for being soft, warm, and durable, making it highly sought-after in the textile industry.

To obtain bison wool, workers comb or brush the animals during the spring and summer months when their winter coat naturally sheds. The harvested wool undergoes cleaning, carding, and spinning processes to transform it into yarn. Bison wool is typically a dark brown color, but can also range from black to white. Textile manufacturers utilize bison wool in a range of products, such as clothing, blankets, and accessories. Bison wool is especially suitable for crafting cold weather garments due to its warmth, lightweight nature, and breathability. Bison wool is also hypoallergenic and naturally resistant to odors and moisture, making it a popular choice for outdoor enthusiasts.

2.6. Camel hair (from camels)

Camel hair originates from two types of camels: the two-humped Bactrian camel and the one-humped dromedary camel, both native to Asia and the Middle East. The textile industry greatly values the soft and durable hair obtained from these animals.

Farmers shear camels to harvest camel hair, a process that typically takes place during the spring shedding season. They remove the long, coarse outer hair and retain the softer undercoat hair. Afterward, they clean, card, and spin the harvested hair into yarn. Camel hair is naturally light beige to brown in color and its softness and luster improve with age.

Textile manufacturers incorporate camel hair into various products, such as clothing, coats, and accessories. Camel hair is especially suitable for crafting cold-weather garments due to its warmth, lightweight nature, and ability to resist water. The hair’s natural water resistance is due to the presence of lanolin, a naturally occurring wax that helps to keep the animal’s coat waterproof and insulating.

2.7. Qiviut (from muskoxen)

Qiviut is a rare and highly valued fiber that comes from the undercoat of the muskox, a large mammal that is native to the Arctic regions of North America and Greenland. The word “qiviut” comes from the Inuktitut language and means “the underwool of the muskox”. Qiviut is one of the softest and warmest fibers in the world, with a texture similar to cashmere or angora wool.

It is also highly durable, lightweight, and breathable. To harvest the fiber, workers comb or collect the undercoat of muskoxen during the spring and summer when they naturally shed their winter coat. Qiviut, which holds significant value in the textile industry, finds application in a range of luxurious products, including scarves, hats, and sweaters. Due to its rarity and high cost, qiviut is often combined with other fibers, such as wool or silk, to make it more affordable.

Native communities in Alaska and Canada highly value qiviut not only for its textile applications but also for its significant cultural importance. For thousands of years, indigenous peoples have utilized this fiber for clothing, shelter, and trade. The harvesting and production of qiviut also provides economic opportunities for these communities, and helps to support the conservation of muskoxen and their habitats.

2.8. Hare wool (from hares)

Hare wool, also known as rabbit wool or bunny wool, comes from the fur of domesticated or wild rabbits and hares. The hair is soft, warm, lightweight and is a popular fiber for making clothing, accessories and home decor.

Farmers shear or comb the wool to harvest it, and they have the option to blend it with other fibers like wool, silk, or cashmere to enhance its texture and strength. Hare wool is naturally hypoallergenic and moisture-wicking, making it a comfortable choice for people with sensitive skin.

One of the most popular uses for hare wool is in the production of Angora wool, which comes specifically from the Angora rabbit. Angora wool stands out for its soft and fluffy texture, making it a popular choice for luxurious clothing and accessories.

2.9. Horse hair (from horses)

Horse hair is a durable and lustrous fiber that comes from the mane, tail and coat of horses. Primarily, people utilize it in textiles for upholstery and decoration, but it also finds use in other applications like brushes and musical instrument strings.

Harvesters comb or cut the mane and tail hair of horses to gather horse hair. Subsequently, the hair undergoes cleaning, washing, and sorting based on length and color. Horse hair is typically coarser and less soft than other animal fibers, such as wool or cashmere, but it has a natural resilience and strength that make it ideal for use in upholstery.

Upholsterers often combine horse hair with other fibers like wool or cotton to fashion a robust and breathable material for various purposes. This blend is commonly employed in high-quality furniture and automobile upholstery, as well as items like hats and horsehair belts.

Moreover, horse hair finds application in crafting musical instruments, especially in constructing bows for stringed instruments like violins and cellos. The hair is stretched across the bow and tightened to generate tension, allowing the bow to create sound when drawn across the strings.

3. FAQs

3.1. What is the most common animal fiber?

The most common animal fiber used in textiles is wool, which comes from sheep. For thousands of years, people have utilized wool, a versatile and readily accessible natural fiber, in creating clothing, blankets, and various textiles. Wool earns its reputation for being warm, durable, and highly insulating, making it a sought-after material. Industries worldwide produce wool in large quantities to cater to diverse needs and requirements. Other common animal fibers include silk, cashmere and alpaca.

3.2. How many animal fibres are there?

There are many animal fibers used in textiles, but it is difficult to provide an exact number as it can depend on factors such as the classification of the animal fiber and regional variations in usage. Some examples of animal fibers include wool (from sheep), silk (from silkworms), cashmere (from goats), alpaca (from alpacas), mohair (from angora goats), and camel hair (from camels). There are also lesser-known animal fibers such as yak wool, muskox (qiviut) wool, and guanaco wool. The number of animal fibers used in textiles may also vary depending on cultural and historical traditions, as well as emerging technologies and innovations in the industry.

Ecosilky hopes this article to provide valuable information about animal fibers examples. At Ecosilky, our utmost priority is to offer products crafted from natural fabric and natural fibers that not only preserve the environment but also protect animal welfare.

If you are interested in purchasing natural fabrics or products derived from these materials, we encourage you to reach out to Ecosilky at (+84) 704 899 089.