The most common animal fiber in the world is wool. It comes from sheep. The most valuable type of wool comes from merino sheep. Sometimes, the fur of goats and camels are also considered wool. The undercoats of certain goat species, such as mohair and kashmir goats, are held in great esteem due to their lightness and heat-insulating properties. 


The most common animal fiber in the world is wool, which comes from sheep.

In South America, fibers are gathered from native tylopods (relatives of the camel). The most praised source of animal fiber is the wool of the vicuna. Alpacas are the relatives of vicunas, and their wool is also held in great esteem. Camel wool comes from the camel's soft undercoat. It mainly comes from Asian camels, which have two humps. 


Image on the left: vicunas roaming the South American desert. Image on the right: an Asian camel.

Even invertebrates produce animal fibers. Such invertebrates include spiders and the larvae of moths and butterflies. The most famous silk-producing moth is the silkworm moth. They produce fibrous material known as silk. 


A silkworm moth.