SOUTH AMERICAN CAMELIDS

Andes Mountains’ animals are well-adapted to the region that they call home. This region is one of the longest and highest mountain ranges on the planet, and it features a wide variety of ecosystems. The high Altiplano of Bolivia, Argentina, Chile and Peru are the natural habitat of four South American Camelids: two wild species, the Guanaco and the Vicuña and two domestic forms, the Alpaca and the Llama.

The guanaco and vicuña are now relatively rare wild species but are probably the ancestors of the domesticated llama and alpaca. Alpacas and llamas may have been domesticated as early as 4000 BC. 

LLAMAS

The llama (Lama glama) is widely used as a pack and meat animal by Andean cultures since pre-Hispanic times. The llama is a South American relative of the camel, though the llama does not have a hump. The height of an adult llama is 15.5 to 6.0 feet tall at and they can weigh between 280 to 450 pounds. Llamas contribute much more than transportation to the human communities in which they live. Leather is made from their hides, and their wool is crafted into ropes, rugs, and fabrics. Llama excrement is dried and burned for fuel. Even in death, llamas can serve their human owners—some people slaughter them and eat their meat.

Llamas around Machu Picchu & Colca Canyon

 ALPACAS

There are two types of alpacas: Suri and Huacaya. The fleece of the Suri hangs in pencil locks, while the Huacaya fleece is more like sheep's fleece without the lanolin.Adult alpacas usually weigh between 125 and 200 pounds and yield 5 to 8 pounds of fleece annually. Shearing is done in the spring to keep the alpaca comfortable during the summer months. Alpacas come in 16 different colors ranging from white to black, beige to dark brown. The fleece is prized by spinners for its softness and is warmer and lighter weight than wool. People who are allergic to wool can often wear garments made of alpaca, which is as soft as cashmere. 

Alpacas in a Farm

 VICUÑAS

It is a relative of the llama and is now believed to share a wild ancestor with domesticated alpacas, which are raised for their fiber. They are the smallest members of the camel family. These social animals live in family groups of up to twenty-five individuals, which usually consist of one dominant male and his harem of females and their young.  The male is extremely protective of his harem. He has a specialized call to warn of potential predators and he fights with other males — bouts in which, among other things, the opponents may spit at each other. Vicuñas have the finest wool in the world but since it is sensitive to chemical treatment, the wool is usually left in its natural color.

Vicuñas

GUANACOS

Guanaco is the largest wild member of the Camelid family in South America, and is believed to be the ancestor of the domestic llama. They stand between 3.5 and 4 feet high at the shoulder and weigh up to 300 pounds. They live in groups of up to ten females, their young, and a dominant male adult. Throughout their range, guanacos occupy lands that tend to be very dry. Guanacos were once overhunted for their thick, warm wool. Now they thrive in areas protected by law. The guanaco's soft wool is valued second only to that of the vicuña.

Guanacos

In destinations as Arequipa city, Colca Canyon, Cusco city, Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu and also on the way from Puno to Cusco, these beautiful animals are easy to see. They are also some farms where tourists can stop to spend sometime around these unique animals. Be sure you will see them if you come to this part of the world!

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