Llamas, alpacas and vicuñas – how to spot the difference

Wondering what the differences are between llamas, alpacas, vicuñas and even guanacos? All four long-necked animals are camelids from the Andes of Peru, but they have unique characteristics that set them apart.

You're probably somewhat familiar with llamas and alpacas, but you're less likely to have heard of their cousins ​​vicuñas (vi-koo-nyas) and guanacos (gwa-nah-kos). Before heading to Peru, let's familiarize you with these leggy, long-whipped creatures.

Llamas vs Alpacas: What's the Difference?

Maybe you've fed a llama or alpaca at a farm, or maybe you've been lucky enough to reach Machu Picchu and see one up close. Llamas are often used as pack animals in the Andean region. They have thick wool that isn't as soft or refined as alpaca fleece, which is prized for its wool.

Both can spit, but are more likely to aim at each other when threatened. In general, they are curious, domesticated creatures that might approach you if they are comfortable - so have your cameras ready for a cute photo or selfie!

What's cool about llamas?

Llamas are fairly independent and cooler than alpacas, but they also have an aggressive side that farmers often use to their advantage. Llamas make great guard animals for flocks of sheep, chickens, other livestock, and even their more petite relatives, the alpacas. They can also carry up to a quarter of their weight, making them popular as pack animals.

What about alpacas?

Alpacas are much smaller camelids and a little more skittish than the brave llama. Alpacas are bred for their wool, which is prized for its high quality and softness. Be sure to leave room in your suitcase for a few alpaca scarves, blankets or sweaters to take home. They make a wonderful gift or souvenir to remember your travels.

Now we've just shown you a cute picture of a fluffy little alpaca, so you might not want to think about how delicious they taste, but... You can find and eat alpacas in restaurants all over Peru. It is a healthy choice as it is low in fat and cholesterol.

How to tell a llama and an alpaca apart

Llamas vs Alpacas! The best way to tell a llama and an alpaca apart is to place them side by side and you will see that one is much larger. This is the llama.

Obviously this isn't the easiest thing to do, so another option is to look at their heads. Alpacas have fluffy heads with flatter muzzles, softer facial features, and short ears. It also makes them cuter! Llamas have fairly distinctive banana-shaped or devil-horn ears and longer faces. Llamas also grow up to 1.7 meters if you get close enough to measure them!

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So what is a vicuña?

Now we have come to the difference between wild and domesticated camelids. Llamas and alpacas are domesticated while vicuñas and guanacos live wild. That means you won't see a shy vicuña with a perfectly brushed coat ready for a selfie grazing nearby. No, you have to keep an eye on the horizon to see these slender and short camelids leaping over the high Andes. The pride of Peru is the national animal and appears on coats of arms (although it can also be found in Argentina, Chile and Bolivia).

The vicuña is an endangered and protected species, so they are harder to spot. Vicuñas are also the smallest of the four camelids and only grow to a maximum height of 85 centimeters. The extremely soft fur can only be shorn every three years, which means you'll see vicuña wool garments selling for over $3000!

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And what is a guanaco?

One of South America's largest wild mammals, the guanaco, like the other camelids, has thick skin on its neck to protect it from attack. The locals use this skin to make shoe soles. A guanaco can be identified by its size and coloring: brown back, white belly, and gray face with short, straight ears.

It is quite unlikely - but not impossible - to see a guanaco in the wild on a trip to Peru. If you are looking for this camelid, try Patagonia, Ecuador or Colombia. Much like the vicuña, they are protected and fierce, but like llamas, their fur is not valued.

During your travels, will you be able to tell the differences between llamas, alpacas, vicuñas and guanacos? Let us know in the comments...

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