The Alpaca's Family

Alpacas belong to the family of camelids, also known as Camelidae. These animals share a common origin and have adapted to diverse living conditions, from dry deserts to mountainous regions. Within this family, we distinguish between large and small camelids.

Large Camelids:

Large camelids are originally from Africa and Asia and are known for their exceptional adaptability to dry and extreme climates.

Camels

Camel with two humps standing in a dry desert landscape.

Camels are even-toed mammals that are perfectly adapted to life in dry desert regions. They can go without water for a long time, store energy in their humps, and have a calm but strong character. The scientific description of the genus was established in 1758 by Carl Linnaeus.

Dromedaries

Dromedary with one hump standing upright in a dry, open landscape with shrubs under a blue sky.

Dromedaries are very similar to camels but have only one hump. They mainly live in North Africa and the Middle East and have been kept by humans as pack and riding animals for thousands of years. Their physique is adapted to heat and sandy environments.

Small Camelids:

The small camelids come from South America and mainly live in the Andes. This group includes animals that are closer to the alpaca, both in appearance and behavior.

Lamas

Lama with white and brown spotted coat standing upright in an open, mountainous landscape.

The lama is the best known (Tintin has a lot to do with it), and it is the largest of the four, it is also the strongest and can grow up to 1.90 m high. The lama is generally used as a transport and pack animal by the indigenous Andean peoples. The "term" lama is often used more broadly (incorrectly) to apply to the four closely related animal species that make up the South American branch of camelids.

Guanacos

Guanaco with light brown and white coat standing alert in a mountainous landscape with grass and water in the background.

The guanaco, according to scientists, is the wild "version" of the llama and the alpaca, it is the most "traveling" of the four. It can be found along the Andes Cordillera, on the Andean highlands, and also in Patagonia all the way to Tierra del Fuego! In Patagonia you only see him. They live in groups with one dominant male for several females. It is also the most "athletic" species, I would say. Guanacos have a strong pull and are able to make great leaps to pass the fences that sometimes cross their free spaces (note that guanaco meat is becoming increasingly widespread... in markets and restaurants).

Alpacas

Alpaca with light beige coat standing in a green meadow, with a red barn and trees in the background.

The alpaca is smaller and weaker than the llama. It is very rarely used as a pack animal, on the other hand, the alpaca gives a fine wool of reputation and quality, much better than that of the llama, because the alpaca has a much more selective culinary diet. The wool is thicker and also much more resistant. Of the four species, the llama and the alpaca are the most difficult to distinguish; in fact, my tip is to observe the head: the head of the alpaca is smaller and less stretched than that of the llama. It is actually very difficult to recognize a llama from an alpaca if you do not have the two species next to each other (to be able to compare)!
The llama has rather banana-shaped ears, those of the alpaca are slightly smaller and straight.

Vicuñas

Vicuña walking across a dry, rocky plain with low vegetation in the background.

The vicuña is the most graceful and the smallest in size, it is also the smallest camelid in the world, about 50 kg! It is very easy to distinguish from other species. But don't be fooled by its fragile appearance, because the vicuña is certainly the most resistant of these four animals. Indeed, vicuña's can be found up to 5,700 m above sea level!! It is also one of the four species that only loves and lives at altitude. Its favorite playground is from 3,000 to 5,500 m above sea level. Its hair is extremely fine and very resistant. They also live in groups.

Lamas and alpacas: family, but not the same

Comparison of llama, guanaco, alpaca and vicuña with silhouettes and their average weight and shoulder height.

Although alpacas and llamas are closely related, there are clear differences in both appearance and behavior:

Size: alpacas are smaller, with a withers height of 80 cm to 100 cm and a weight of 50 to 90 kg.
Lamas can be up to 1.20 m high and weigh up to 150 kg.
Back and pelvis: due to the steep pelvic angle, an alpaca is not suitable as a pack animal. Llamas, on the other hand, have been used for thousands of years to carry loads of up to 40 kg.
Teeth: the incisors of alpacas grow throughout their lives and sometimes need to be filed. Llamas have a complete permanent set of teeth from the age of five.
Ears: alpacas have short, straight ears; llamas can be recognized by their long, curved "banana ears".
Character: llamas are generally easier to train and work more closely with people. They are easier to handle during activities such as shearing, brushing and trimming nails.

The alpaca is therefore part of a fascinating family with a rich history and great diversity. On our farm, we bring this knowledge to life by working daily with our alpacas and respecting their natural behavior.