Though they’re all quite similar in appearance, and come from one ancestor. Three million years later, they migrated to South America, because of the Great American Interchange. They are cousins after all. Alpacas are just the most adorable animals. Typical llama fiber is comparable to sheep’s wool in terms of weight and texture. Llama fiber is lightweight but incredibly warm. The Unbelievably Sweet Alpacas A big lesson learnt. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Let the similarities confuse you no longer. Alpacas have a more rounded, sloping body. Their ears: Alpaca ears have short spear-shaped ears while llamas have much longer, banana-shaped ears. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Their size: Alpacas generally weigh in at around 150 pounds while llamas can get as heavy as 400 pounds. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Alpacas faces are short, have a blunt muzzle, and are very fluffy. The Huacaya alpaca has very thick, soft, crimped fleece, similar to sheep wool. If you’re alpaca farmer or llama farmer, you must have to deal with people confusing your animals for the other all the time! However, the alpaca and llama difference is pretty subtle. Alpacas are shy, timid, and more likely to ‘fly’ than ‘fight’ if provoked or threatened. My posts contain affiliate links. Also, guards for livestock like sheep and others. Llama vs. Alpaca. Generally, their wool creates a higher quality yarn than llamas. Hope my one year old can’t tell . i always thought that they were pratically the same thing! Something I forgot? The llama’s history differs from the alpaca. … They’re also quite heavy, able to reach up to 400 pounds. The Vicuna is the national symbol of Peru and is considered a very similar animal to the llamas and the alpacas however, they have different characteristics. Peru has both llamas and Alpacas! The alpaca An alpaca tends to be very skittish and timid, but gentle. Llamas – They have a fine undercoat and a coarser outer coat. The yarn is perceived as being rougher and less desirable than alpaca yarn, although better-quality llama fiber can be comparable to alpaca. Older information online will state Michigan has a very large population, but this is actually false. Suri has silky dreadlock-like hair that grows toward the ground and better suited for weaving. Alpacas generally live 15 to 20 years, with a few living up to 30 years of age. While alpacas and llamas are the ones that are most commonly mixed up, there is also a lot of confusion when it comes to … To dig deeper into the great mystery of an alpaca vs llama, I’ve written a description of Llamas and Alpacas and described their similarities. Alpaca have short ears, shaped like spears, with a point at the top. Llama vs Alpaca – Quick Facts – 11 Key Differences. I love knitting with baby alpaca yarn, it is super soft and squooshy. Oops and it felted. Llama ears are long, curved, and have ears shaped like bananas almost. Llamas spit at each other, when showing they’re more dominant, and to make sure the ‘lower class’ is disciplined. Both llama and alpaca originate from the Andes in South America. Read the latest reviews on our favorite products. Though they look plump and rounded, it’s their hair. They’re sometimes used as a source of meat. But they’re different creatures. Llama fiber is more coarse, normally 50-65 microns and not as suitable for garments. They both produce one child annually, known as a cria. It’s easier for the farmer to collect fertilizer. 1. Do you know your Llama's compared to yo Alpaca's? Quelles sont les différences principales entre le lama et l’alpaga ? Domesticated Alpacas are descendants of the wild South American ‘vicuña,’ from the camelid family, native to the central Andes. Alpaca ears are short and shaped like spears. It’s incredibly soft and warm. Wandering traders always spawn with two leashedtrader llamas. Fun Fact: Huacaya fleece lacks lanolin, making it hypoallergenic. I created Knit Like Granny to help show 1,000,000 people the benefits of knitting & highlight alternatives to fast fashion. Yes they have such gorgeous faces. During breeding, the male alpaca emits a unique throaty vocalization called "orgling." They are also able to protect themselves and can ward off animals such as coyotes and feral dogs. Alpaca vs Llama . Alpacas are 81 – 99 cm tall at the withers (shoulder area). The rough outer coat is used for lead ropes, rugs and wall hangings. 6 Things You Should to Know Before Getting a Pet Llama or Alpaca. The alpaca also produces more fleece than its larger cousin and in a much greater variety of colors. . Less than ten percent of the alpaca population are suris. They have long, skinny necks, big bodies, and a small gray long face with pointy banana shaped ears. It’s very difficult for the layperson to tell the difference between these two animals. Llama (Lama glama, Linnaeus 1758) The llama is the larger of the domestic camelids and resembles the guanaco in almost all aspects of behavior and morphology. Peru, Bolivia, and Chile have the largest number of Alpacas. But each species is unique and useful in different ways. my child hood is officially ruined! I love knitting and have met so many other fabulous knitters through this site. Guanacos are larger than vicuñas but smaller than llamas. There are approximately 300,000 alpacas within the United States. Alpaca Vs Llama – The Verdict. Yes they are like camels without humps and less appetite for spitting, I ran in s field of Llamas… they ignored me… I was about fifty years old… at the time…. The alpaca, the llama, and their camelid family cousins, vicunas, and guanacos. The first, and most obvious difference between llama vs alpaca, is their size. Poachers heavily hunted them. There are two breeds of alpaca, Suri and Huacaya. Both animals don’t have top front teeth. They come in four variants of coat colors: brown, cream, white, gray. Alpaca vs. Llama. Learn how your comment data is processed. Their neck and body are slim underneath. Sign up for your Modern Farmer Weekly Newsletter. Since llamas are used for carrying packs, they can hold loads up to 25 – 30 percent of their body weight for 8 – 13 km. Llamas grow up to twice the size of alpacas and belong to the camel family. Nowadays, their numbers have recovered to approximately 350,000. In terms of temperament and fiber characteristics, Alpacas are better than llamas. A good pack llama is easy to train, calm and relaxed on the trail, and happy to trek at a leisurely pace. They’re believed to come from North America (around 40 million yrs ago). In terms of height (measuring at the shoulder), Llamas are the taller species, at … Suri hair is long, straight, and tassel-like, a bit like dreadlocks. Both animals can be […], Immigrants Feed America t-shirts are back – find them at the Modern Farmers Market, If you told me there was a jerky snack made out of kelp - yes,... (more), It can keep up to 50 cans chilled for up to 36 hours and collapses... (more). Alpacas don’t spit often, but they spit at each other. Purpose - Alpaca have been bred for 1000's of years for their fine fleece. Annual global output for llama yarn is … The llama (/ ˈ l ɑː m ə /; Spanish pronunciation: ) (Lama glama) is a domesticated South American camelid, widely used as a meat and pack animal by Andean cultures since the Pre-Columbian era.. Llamas are very social animals and live with others as a herd.Their wool is very soft and lanolin-free.Llamas can learn simple tasks after a few repetitions. (Pack animals are used to carry loads during long journeys on foot.) We use a couple as guard animals for the sheep. Llama Image Credit: ZEBULON72, Pixabay. Take this quiz to find out! The number of both these animals in Peru is fairly even. Here is a list of the difference between Alpacas and llamas. Contact | Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Disclosure | Disclaimer | Cookie Policy. Very intelligent, some people teach them to do tricks, like a dog! They stay close to their herd. These cookies do not store any personal information. Alpacas – As I mentioned above, there are two types, the Huacaya and the Suri. Alpacas are domesticated versions of vicugña pacos, South American ruminants that live high in the Andes. If you buy through a link on my posts, I may earn an affiliate commission. By using this site, you accept our use of cookies. If separated from its alpaca herd, this herd animal would die from loneliness. Another thing to quickly tell them apart is to observe their ears. Llamas are more aggressive and suspicious of strangers. Llama vs. Alpaca: Similarities. Llamas are heavier (200 to 350 lbs / 90 to 158 kg) and can even get to 400 pounds (181 kg), while Alpacas are normally 100 to 175 lbs (45 to 68 kg). i never knew this much about them. Most are the second variety. Their hair: The alpaca produces a much finer fiber than the llama. Alpaca Conservation status Domesticated Scientific classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Artiodactyla Family: Camelidae Genus: Vicugna Species: V. pacos Binomial name Vicugna pacos (Linnaeus, 1758) Alpaca range Synonyms Camelus pacos Linnaeus, 1758 Lama pacos (Linnaeus, 1758) The alpaca (Vicugna pacos) is a species of South American camelid … After vicuñas, llama fiber is precious. Do you work with Alpaca wool, or perhaps you’ve worked with Llama wool? I too love baby alpaca yarn. Llama and Alpacas are from the Andes Mountains, in central and South America. Yes, you can actually adopt one of these furry cuties. One of the Most Under-Used Resources in American Ag Is a Waste... 7 Smokable Plants You Can Grow That Aren’t Marijuana, 6 Secretly Poisonous Plants We Eat All the Time, This Modern Farmer Employs At-Risk Youth to Keep Them Off the Streets, Hmong Farmers Find Their Own Land in Minnesota, New Year’s Resolutions for the Regenerative Grower, Things We Love: CleverMade Snapbasket Cooler, Things We Love: Republic of Tea Daily Greens Single Sips. Their faces: Llamas have a longer face; an alpaca’s face is a bit more blunt, giving them a “smooshed in” look. Alpacas also tend to be a bit more skittish than llamas, which are often used as guard animals for alpacas, sheep, and other small livestock. They exhibit a range of differences between them, and it is always good to be aware of those. The easiest way is to look at their ears. I enjoy learning and helping others discover the joys of working with yarn. is primarily raised for its fiber which is very low micron and has no “scratchy” feel. The llama is larger than an alpaca. Huacaya has short, crimpy, and fluffy fleece. Llamas are pack animals. Their size: Alpacas generally weigh in at around 150 pounds while llamas can get as heavy as 400 pounds. They’re even softer and warmer than cashmere! Alpaca ears point straight out. Ses oreilles sont en forme de banane contrairement à l’alpaga qui a des oreilles droites et pointues. Let’s examine the similarities between an alpaca vs llamas. The same goes for weight as llamas are heavier than alpacas. They tread lightly, not damaging pastures. On the other hand, alpacas are much smaller, typically weighing around 140 pounds versus a llama ‘s 250 pounds. Llama Or Alpaca Quiz Llama versus Alpaca, The Difference between alpacas and llamas,fun facts about alpacas, llama vs alpaca pictures,fun facts about llamas, a childrens learning game, The Difference Between A Llama And An Alpaca. Two subspecies of alpaca are the most popular in the market: Huacaya alpaca and Suri alpaca. Such as ponchos, hats, scarves, socks, sweaters, blankets, even toys. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. If you knit, treat yourself to an alpaca sweater. Alpacas have shaggy wool that’s much finer and softer as well. They’re in the same family but all different. At the shoulder, an average alpaca stands between 34 and 36 inches, while a llama generally ranges between 42 and 46 inches. The two have been traced from the Inca period. I’m Jodie Morgan, owner and creator of Knit Like Granny. They’re similar, such as being from the same family, Camelidae (camel family). I unfortunately accidentally washed my knitted scarf made with baby alpaca wool in the washing machine. There are, however, a few telltale signs that you can look for that will help you distinguish between the two. Llamas have a longer face, similar to a kangaroo or horse, and prominent muzzles. How can I quickly tell an Alpaca apart from a Llama? They are both from the same camelid family. Hi. […] the Inca Empire’s heyday, Machu Picchu also provides excellent opportunities to see firsthand the differences between llamas and alpacas. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. That also explains the closer relationship with humans. The Huacaya Alpaca fiber is crimpy, warm, elastic, and hypoallergic. 2. Hi there Merrilyn. Both animals are a native of the country and have been a part of the local customs, traditions, and history for a long time. The undercoat is much softer, used mainly for handicrafts and clothes. The Size; Llamas are the bigger animal by far, at about double the size of an alpaca. ... Alpaca garments – shopping guide. Livestock Guardian At first, these south american animals from the camel family may look indistinguishable, as llamas and alpacas have a lot in common. Though alpacas and llamas belong to the same family, the two breeds are quite different in many respects. Leave a comment at the end. The huacaya alpaca has a wooly, dense, crimped fleece. Le lama est environ deux fois la grosseur d’un alpaga et est plus grand d’un demi-mètre. go back to wool. Llama Banana Ears. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. They’ve been repopulating since 2007 in South America. There is a significant difference in their weight too. While the former produces a shorter and fluffy type of fiber, the latter produces a longer fiber. Alpacas have padded feet, unlike cows who have hoofed feet. They make excellent guard animals as they have a protective instinct. The Alpaca has short & spear-shaped ears and Llama has long & curved ears. If you buy through a link on this page, I may earn an affiliate commission. Have you learned something about these animals, or which one do you prefer? Llama is the Quechua term for L. glama, which is known as qawra by Aymara speakers.Domesticated from the guanaco in the Peruvian Andes some 6000–7000 years ago, the llama was moved into lower elevations by 3,800 years ago, … These banana shaped ears stick almost straight up out from the head. Many people have businesses where they have hand made products from Alpaca and Llama wool. Alpacas are bred for their soft fleece .Because of this, they tend to lead a life of leisure compared to the llama! You might think Alpacas and llamas are the same animals. Guanacos are one of the largest mammals on the continent. Geez they look so similar but now thanks to your helpful post, I can spot the differences. An alpaca is social. In 1974, they were endangered. Learn More. The vicuna is known for its fine, long and brown wool and can range in length and weight, about three feet tall and can weigh about 150 pounds. Llamas have relatively long, straight backs, better suited to carry packs. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed. The personality and disposition of a llama and alpaca are quite different. It depends on the individual animal, but alpacas are generally friendlier. Jul 23, 2018 Grafissimo Getty Images. They’re still in and around Machu Picchu today! They’re curious, quick to learn new things and approaches people without hesitation. They stand 32-39 inches at the shoulder. For things like apparel, clothing, scarves and more. Sources: openherd.com, lifeandscience.org, mountairyalpacas.com, marylandalpacas.org, Plus: See more stories from Alpaca Week ». First thought to be domesticated in ancient times by the Inca Empire, Machu Picchu was a hive of activity for breeding and rearing these creatures. The hair grows toward the ground. At first glance, they look indistinguishable from llamas, but there are differences! Hello there Llama. By the end of this post, you’ll know how to tell the difference between an alpaca and a llama! Their camelid cousin, vicuñas, are smaller than alpacas and guanacos and are more delicate. Learn more. Great..I bought a stuffed animal thinking it was a llama but now looking at it I see that it resembles an alpaca. They have a lifespan of about 15-20 years. Alpacas and llama belong to the same Camelidae family. Yes, because Llamas have an innate desire to protect and exert their dominance. Alpaca vs llama. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Important Note: There are four similar animals all related to each other. Without having to look at their DNA, there are evident morphological differences between the llama and alpaca which can help us tell the difference between them: Size: an alpaca is visibly smaller than a llama. Fully grown llamas approximately weigh between 130 – 200 kg or 400 pounds. Llamas are also a South American camelid, related to the Guanaco. These are two exclusive South American camels with characteristic appearances. Please say hello! Llama vs. Alpaca - Llama and alpaca are types of hoofed mammals that belong to the camel family. (Yes, I’m a real person :) ) Thanks for being here. While people raised them primarily for their fiber, the llama also was—and is—a draft and pack animal in the Andes Mountains. Alpaca inhabits humid and wet foothills, while llama prefers cold and dry plains on the higher altitudes. This one of the first things to look for, and one of the easiest ways to distinguish an alpaca from a llama. I’ll explain the information in further detail down below. . Great to hear my post was helpful. They’re herd animals. They have a lot of power, and can travel far with a heavy load without needing much water. The Llama is about twice the size of the Alpaca. Fair enough, at first glance, they look alike. You can see there is a difference between a llama and alpaca. 10% of llamas spawn as babies. 6. I’d love to hear your thoughts. One exception is baby llama fiber which can be very soft and below 30 microns so it has a similar feel to alpaca. Although they are centralized in Peru, they can also be found in Bolivia, Argentina and Chile. This post contains affiliate links. During National Alpaca Farm Days everyone can meet an Alpaca at a local farm! Suri alpaca is rarer, thus more expensive. Or have a question? Alpacas generally weigh between 48 – 84 kg or 150 pounds. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. - Dedicated to Twaimz for being a Llama lover. Fun Fact: The scientific name of Alpacas is ‘Vicugna pacos.’ ‘Vicugna’ sounds like ‘vicuna,’ and vice-versa. KnitLikeGranny.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. Llamas spawn at light level 7 or above, they naturally spawn in savanna biomes in herds of 4 llamas and in mountains biomes in herds of 4 to 6 llamas. One of the easiest ways to tell a llama from an alpaca is the "banana ears" on a llama, which arch inwards. At first glance, alpacas may resemble their larger camelid cousin the llama, but they are quite different. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Their faces: Llamas have a longer face; an alpaca’s face is a bit more blunt, giving them a “smooshed in” look. Alpacas, however, cannot protect themselves. Llamas and alpacas have lanolin-free fleece, unlike sheep. Their dispositions: Alpacas are very much herd animals, while llamas are more independent minded. Cusco in particular has a large population of these creatures. Much appreciated. Face – Alpacas – short & blunt | Llamas – long & pronounced; Ears – Alpaca Ears – short & spear-shaped | Llama – long & curved; Height – Alpacas – 81-99cm | Llamas – 1.7-1.8m ; Fleece – Alpaca – fine & fluffy | … Alpaca wool is water and flame resistant. At the shoulder, an average alpaca stands between 34 and 36 inches, while a llama generally ranges between 42 and 46 inches. An average alpaca stands around 35 inches tall while an average llama stands around 45 inches tall. We use cookies on this site to optimize site functionality and give you the best possible experience. The wool from the first shearing is the finest, and is called baby alpaca. Alpaca and llama fleece are classified as specialty or luxury fibers, but sheep fleece or wool tops the list of animal fibers used today. In North America, around 10,000 to 12,000 yrs ago, camelids were extinct. Llamas also generally do not have as much hair on their head and face as alpacas do. Alpaca vs Llama: What is the difference? You can learn more about how we grade alpaca fiber in this article. See more ideas about alpaca, llama, cute animals. By Marygrace Taylor. Thanks for your kind words Stuart. can have what I call “an attitude” which is just a more independent spirit. 1. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. Despite being native to South America, there are about 300,000 of Alpacas and llamas in the United States. Llamas have short, coarse hair, which is double-coated. Alpacas have excellent bathroom etiquette. Sep 8, 2018 - Explore Susan Hamel's board "Alpaca vs Llama" on Pinterest. Their purpose: For more than 5,000 years alpacas have been bred for fiber (and in Peru for meat as well), while llamas have been bred for the same amount of time as pack animals and meat. Below is the top 10 list of ways to tell the difference between an alpaca and a llama. The herd all place their poop in one spot. Cheers. The outer coat is very rough, with a scratchy feel, and is used for ropes and rugs.