Key Differences Between Animal and Plant Fibres
Animal fibres are naturally occurring fibres that are sourced from animals, as the name suggests. Animal fibres are made up of different types of proteins in general. Some of the most common animal fibres are wool and silk. You must know that all animal fibres are extracted from different animals and hence have different properties from one another. Also, the kind of fibres depends from one animal to another.
Consider, for example, both Merino and Cotswold are two different kinds of wool that are extracted from different species of sheep. Merino is known for its softer texture, whereas Cotswold is known for its coarse texture. You must also know that the natural fibres from animals tend to vary in consistency than the synthetic fibres. The synthetic ones are more uniform. We will learn today about what animal fibres are, the difference between animal fibres and plant fibres, and the different types of animal fibres.
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Names of Animal Fibres
The fibres obtained from animals are generally textile. These fibres are generally produced from the animal’s fur, skin, hair, or even secretion in the case of the silkworm. Once these animal fibres are extracted they are generally knitted or woven for forming beautiful animal fabrics. If you have to name two fibres obtained from animals, they can be silk and wool.
However, if you consider historically, these animal fibres have been employed for manufacturing warm and soft jackets, shawls, blazers, coats, ponchos, and several other forms of clothes and accessories. If you have to name any two animal fibres applications that are rougher, they are usually covers, carpets and rugs.
Difference Between Animal Fibres and Plant Fibres
Types of Animal Fibres
If we have to name two animal fibres that are widely used, they are wool and silk. Let us now learn about the types of animal fibres in detail.
Wool
Wool is an animal fibre derived from different animal furs which belong to the Caprinae family. We usually relate wool to sheep, however, wool can also be derived from other animals like goats, rabbits, and alpacas. Different kinds of wool from different animals have different properties from one another. The main difference between the wool and hair of sheep is that the wool of the sheep consists of scales which overlap in the same manner as the shingles on a roof. Many kinds of wools are also known to possess more than 20 kinds of such bends in just one inch. However, the diameter of one strand of the wool ranges from 17micrometres to about 35 micrometres.
Let us discuss about the feature of those different types of wool fibres -
Angora wool, the rabbit hairs obtained from a special species of rabbits named as Angora rabbit. The fur of the angora rabbits are considered to be extremely soft and pleasant to touch, thus due to its desirable characteristics are in a very high demand. It is often mixed with other types of wool to add warmth and softness in the final product.
Alpaca fibre: this is obtained from one of the South American camelid mammal species, by the same name Alpaca. This wool is very light in comparison to the normal sheep fibre and not only that, it is warmer than the traditional sheep wool.
Wool obtained from the american bison, known as the bison wool, is also quite famous in the textile industry.
One extremely famous type of wool goes by the name of Cashmere wool (derived from the word Kashmiri), and is processed from the fur of the Cashmere goat found in the Kashmir territory of India. This type of wool has a luxurious texture in it and is extremely soft and lightweight. Kashmir shawl (also spelled as Cashmere) created from the Cashmere wool is quite popular in the textile industries around the world.
Like rabbits, goats also have pieces with the name of angora goats, the fur of which is called the Mohair wool, this type of wool is considered very similar to silk. Mohair is famously known for its durability.
Silk
Silk is regarded as a naturally occurring protein fibre. It can also be woven into textiles in different ways. The most commonly known silk form is the which is obtained from the larvae of Bombyx mori species. Silk rearing is called sericulture. The degummed fibres which are obtained from Bombyx mori have a diameter which ranges from 5 - 10 m. There are different types of silk which are famous for their shiny appearance. This is because of the triangular prism-like and cross-sectional structure of these fibres. These prism-like fibrous structures tend to allow light which is incident to the silk fibres to refract at varying angles.
You must know that one whole silkworm cocoon produces one long fibre. Therefore, one should be careful while unwinding these fibres from the silkworm cocoons. Also, the quality of the silk fibres depends on how healthy the silkworm is. This, in turn, depends on the living conditions and the food which they are provided with.
Spider silk is amongst the most powerful naturally occurring fibres known to man. It is the strongest dragline silk which is believed to be about three times stronger than kevlar and more than five times tougher than steel. There are some types of spider silks that are known for their enhanced elasticity. The silk which is woven by the ogre-faced spider is considered to be stretchable more than five times its length without damaging itself!
FAQs on Animal Fibre: Types, Examples, and Uses
1. What is an animal fibre, and what are its primary sources?
An animal fibre is a natural fibre that originates from an animal source. These fibres are primarily composed of proteins like keratin and fibroin. The main sources include:
- Hair/Fleece: This is the most common source, obtained from animals like sheep (wool), goats (cashmere, mohair), and rabbits (angora).
- Fur: This includes the soft, thick hair of mammals, often used for its warmth and texture.
- Secretions: This refers to fibres produced by insects, with the most famous example being silk, which is spun from the cocoons of silkworms.
2. What are the most common examples of animal fibres and their uses?
The most common examples of animal fibres are wool and silk. Wool, obtained from sheep, is widely used for making sweaters, blankets, and carpets due to its excellent insulation. Silk, produced by silkworms, is prized for its lustre and softness and is used for making fine clothing like sarees, dresses, and scarves. Other important examples include Cashmere from goats for luxury shawls and Angora from rabbits for soft knitwear.
3. What is the main difference between animal fibres and plant fibres?
The fundamental difference lies in their chemical composition. Animal fibres are made of proteins (like keratin in wool), while plant fibres (like cotton and jute) are made of cellulose. This difference affects their properties; for instance, animal fibres are generally better insulators against cold and are more elastic, whereas plant fibres are often more absorbent and stronger when wet.
4. Why is wool considered an excellent material for winter clothing?
Wool is an excellent insulator because its fibres have a natural crimp (a wavy or curly structure). This crimp creates millions of tiny air pockets within the fabric. Since air is a poor conductor of heat, these pockets trap body heat, preventing it from escaping and thus keeping the wearer warm. This property makes wool ideal for sweaters, coats, and blankets.
5. How is silk produced, and what makes it a luxury fibre?
Silk is a protein fibre produced by the larvae of certain insects, most notably the mulberry silkworm (Bombyx mori), to form their cocoons. The process of cultivating silkworms for silk production is called sericulture. Silk is considered a luxury fibre because of its unique combination of properties: a natural shimmering lustre, high tensile strength, a smooth and soft texture, and excellent draping qualities.
6. What kinds of proteins constitute the main animal fibres like wool and silk?
Animal fibres are made of structural proteins. The two main types are:
- Keratin: This is the fibrous protein that makes up hair, fleece, and horns in mammals. Therefore, fibres like wool, cashmere, and mohair are primarily composed of keratin.
- Fibroin: This is an insoluble protein produced by insects and spiders. Silk is the best-known example of a fibre made from fibroin, which gives it its characteristic strength and lustre.
7. Are all types of hair from an animal like a sheep used to make wool? Explain why or why not.
No, not all hair from a wool-bearing animal is equally suitable for making high-quality fabric. An animal's fleece typically has two types of fibres: the coarse outer hair (called kemp or guard hair) and the soft, fine under-hair close to the skin. It is the soft under-hair that is desirable for making fine woollen fabrics because it is softer, has a better crimp for insulation, and is more comfortable against the skin. The coarse hairs are often separated during processing.
8. What is the importance of animal fibres in various industries?
Animal fibres are highly important in the textile and apparel industries for creating high-value products. Their primary importance comes from their unique natural properties: warmth (wool), lustre and elegance (silk), and softness (cashmere, angora). They are used to manufacture a wide range of goods, from everyday winter wear and durable carpets to luxury clothing and high-end home furnishings, contributing significantly to the fashion and interior design sectors.
