The family of the alpaca

Alpaca’s belong to the camelids, or the Camelidae family. This family is divided into two groups:

• Large camelids: camels and dromedaries, originating from Africa and Asia.

• Small camelids: llamas and alpacas (domesticated), guanacos and vicuñas (wild species), originating from the countries of the Andes Mountains such as Chile, Peru, Bolivia and Argentinië.

Large camelids: camels and dromedaries, originating from Africa and Asia

Camels

Camels form a genus of even-toed mammals from the family of camelids. The scientific name of the genus was published in 1758 by Carl Linnaeus. This genus includes three recent species, the wild camel, the Bactrian camel and the dromedary.

Dromedaries

The dromedary or one-humped camel is a large camelid, which can only be found in domesticated form. The scientific name of the species was published in 1758 by Carl Linnaeus. The dromedary is regularly used as a pack and riding animal in desert areas.

Small camelids: llamas and alpacas (domesticated), guanacos and vicuñas (wild species), originating from the countries of the Andes Mountains such as Chile, Peru, Bolivia and Argentinië.

Lama's

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 it can be up to 1.90 m high. The llama is generally used as a transport and pack animal by the indigenous Andean peoples. The "term" llama is often used more broadly (incorrectly) to apply to the four closely related animal species that make up the South American branch of camelids.

Guanaco's

The guanaco is, according to scientists, 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 Andes highlands, and also in Patagonia 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. Guanaco's have a strong puller and are able to make great jumps, to pass the fences that sometimes cross their free spaces (note that guanaco meat is becoming more and more widespread... in markets and restaurants).

Alpaca's

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)!

Vicuña’s

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. His favorite playground is from 3,000 to 5,500 m above sea level. The vicuña hair is extremely fine and very resistant. They also live in groups.