Llamas, Alpacas, Vicuñas. . .Oh My!

Among many other claims to fame, Peru is known as the home of llamas and alpacas.  In actuality, of the 3 million llamas in South America, only 33% live in Peru (most of the rest are in Bolivia), but 87% of the 4 million alpacas can be found in the mountains of Peru.

Llamas and Alpacas are the two domesticated camelid species that live in South America. Their two wild relatives are the vicuña and guanaco.

Camelids are a family of animals that include not only the four South American species but also the two species of camels. These large herbivorous animals have several distinct characteristics. For example, their hind limbs are attached at the top of the thigh only and thus, they can only lie down by resting their knees and legs tucked underneath the body. They also have a two-part upper lip with each part separately mobile (the better to spit with)! They do not have hooves, but a two-toed foot with toenails and a soft footpad. The four South American camelids can move the pads on their toes to better grip the steep, rocky terrain.

The llama was domesticated thousands of years ago to be a pack animal. Prior to the arrival of the Spanish, there were no mules, horses, or other animals so llamas were the only pack animals in South America. 

Alpacas were domesticated primarily for their fur. Alpaca fur is much softer than that of llamas and is 7 times warmer than wool! A useful fiber to have in the very cold high altitudes of the Andes! Alpacas are smaller than llamas and have long hair on their heads, while llamas do not. My personal favorite alpacas are the long-haired variety, the suri alpacas -- I just love their long hair!!!

Guanacos are the largest of the four camelids in South America. They are not domesticated and there are over half a million in South America – most in the Patagonia region of Chile and Argentina. Guanacos are incredibly versatile, living in very high mountainous regions and on the beaches of Peru. 

Vicuñas are the smallest of the four and the most rare. There are just over 100,000 living in the wild. These animals live at altitudes around 14,000 feet.

The fibers of all four of these animals are used for rope, clothes, handbags, and other things. Llama fur is the least soft and the cheapest. Alpaca fibers are the most common. 90% of the world´s alpaca fiber is processed in Peru. Throughout Peru, you can find sweaters, socks, bags, blankets, and many other items made from alpaca fur. Yet, as soft as alpaca is, vicuña fiber is so much softer! Vicuña fiber is the most expensive since it is by far the softest, and the most rare. Even in Incan times, only the royal family was allowed to wear clothing made from vicuña fur. For example, wool sells on the world market for $6/kg, alpaca sells for $12-$28/kg and vicuña is valued between $400 and $600/kg!

These little guys aren´t just cute, but soft too!!

3 1/2 month old llama

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