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Llamas and Alpacas: Introduction |  |
| The 4 members of the South American camelids are the llama, alpaca, guanaco, and vicuña. The species evolved in the Andes, with the guanaco and vicuña probably serving as the foundation stock for the llama and alpaca. |
| Mature alpacas weigh ~60-80 kg and stand 76-97 cm at the withers. Alpacas are primarily used as fiber-producing animals. The fiber grows rapidly and requires shearing every 12-24 mo. Mature llamas are significantly larger animals, weighing 120-200 kg and standing 102-127 cm at the withers. Llamas were primarily developed as pack animals and can carry loads of 25-40 kg. Males and females of both species have approximately similar mature weights. Guanacos are not easily tamed,
although a significant number have been exported from South America. Guanacos are similar in size to llamas but weigh somewhat less. Unlike llamas and alpacas, in which coloration patterns vary, guanacos have a consistent light brown or tan coat over the neck, back, and outside of the legs, with white on the underbelly and medial surface of the legs. Vicuñas are nondomesticated and slightly taller than alpacas, with a longer neck, much shorter fiber, and a characteristic “bib” of
long fibers in the chest region. Vicuñas have extremely fine fiber and are considered an endangered species.
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| All South American camelids have 74 chromosomes and are cross-fertile, producing fertile F-1 progeny. The most common cross is a llama × alpaca mating, producing a “huarizo” that is intermediate in size, body characteristics, and fiber quality. None of the other crosses are common, although the structural similarities between llamas and guanacos make identification of hybrids particularly difficult. Intact male llamas and alpacas are called males,
or less frequently machos, while castrated males are referred to as geldings. Females are called females, or occasionally hembras. The neonates and young up to ~6 mo of age are called crias. |
| There are no distinct llama breeds. All llamas have characteristic “banana-shaped” ears, a level back, and a high tail set. In contrast, there are 2 morphologically distinct types of alpacas—the Huacaya and Suri. The more common Huacayas have a lofted fiber coat with coverage down the legs and around the face. Suri have a flat-lying corded fiber structure with less coverage on the head. A suri-style llama has recently been introduced into the North American market. Alpacas
have shorter “spear-shaped” ears, a lower tail set, slightly more humping to the back, and a sloping rear end. Llamas and alpacas cannot necessarily be differentiated from one another based on fiber coverage.
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| South American camelids are most closely related to the old world camelids (Bactrian and dromedary), having the same number of chromosomes, similar anatomy and physiology, and general patterns of disease susceptibility. Although cows, sheep, and goats are frequently used as reference points for drug dosage extrapolation, disease susceptibility, and management decisions, it is important to remember that South American camelids and common domestic ruminants are only distantly related. |
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