Alpacas vs Llamas, The Short Answer:
- Size: Llamas are much larger than Alpacas.
- Fleece: Alpacas have finer and more uniform fleece.
- Head: Llamas have a larger more elongated head than alpacas.
- Ears: Alpacas have shorter spear-shaped ears, and llamas are long and curved.
- Stance: Llamas have a square hip while alpacas have a rounded hip set.
- Teeth: Alpacas have no enamel on the inside of the incisors, while llamas are fully enameled.
- Personality: Llamas are more independent, and alpacas are more cautious.
Did you know that alpacas and llamas are members of the camelid family, which also includes camels, guanacos, and vicuñas? While they might look similar, they actually have quite a few differences in terms of their appearance, personality, and how they’re used.
I’m excited to compare and contrast alpacas and llamas based on their physical characteristics, personality, behavior, purpose, uses, history, and location. By the end of this read, I hope you’ll have a better understanding of these amazing animals and how they fit into our society!
Table of Contents
Scientific Classification of Alpacas and Llamas
Llamas (Lama glama) and alpacas (Vicugna pacos) are domesticated members of the camel family, Camelidae. They have undergone several changes in their scientific classification over the years. For example, alpacas were previously known as Lama pacos. These animals are closely related to their wild relatives, the vicuña (Vicugna vicugna) and the guanaco (Lama guanicoe).
New World camelids have lived in conjunction with humans for more than 5,000 years, the longest-known animal-human relationship. They are native to the Andes Mountains of South America, where they have been used by humans for thousands of years for transportation, wool production, leather, food, religious ceremonies, and companionship.
Although they are closely related and can interbreed, llamas and alpacas have some distinct physical characteristics that set them apart. Llamas and alpacas were selectively bred for their particular characteristics; llamas for packing and alpacas for fleece. Except for escapees, there are no wild llamas or alpacas.
Alpacas and llamas have been interbred unintentionally and intentionally over the years. After the Spanish conquest, a lot of chaos occurred in the South American breeding programs resulting in some scrambling of the genetics.
All camelids have 74 chromosomes. New World camelids can interbreed, producing fertile first-generation progeny. The offspring of an alpaca and a llama is called a huarizo. Alpacas themselves are believed to have been bred from the vicuna and perhaps some unknown ancestor more than 6,000 years ago.
There is a Significant Size Difference Between Llamas and Alpacas
One of the most obvious differences between llamas and alpacas is their size. Llamas are much larger than alpacas, averaging 40 to 47 inches at the shoulder and 250 to 550 pounds in weight. Alpacas are smaller, measuring about 30 to 38 inches at the shoulder and 121 to 200 pounds in weight.
Alpacas and Llamas have Different Fleece Characteristics
Another difference is their fiber or wool quality. Alpacas have heavy fleece that is soft, fine, and dense. Their fiber comes in a variety of colors. Alpaca fiber is highly valued for its warmth and durability. Alpacas were bred to be single-coated, that is a uniform fleece without medullated, thick guard hair.
Llamas are dual coated with fine unmedullated hair shafts and tough guard hair mixed in. This coarser fleece makes llama wool less suitable for clothing but is great for blankets, rugs, and wall hangings You can pick out the guard hair (dehair) of the llama fleece and use the rest, but the alpaca will almost always be better.
Llama and alpaca are both domesticated camelids that produce valuable fleece for textile and craft industries. However, there are some differences in their fleece quality and characteristics that affect their suitability for different purposes. Here are some of the main differences between llama and alpaca fleece:
| Fiber diameter | Alpaca fleece has a finer fiber diameter than llama fleece, ranging from 15 to 40 microns, while llama fleece undercoat ranges from 16 to 40 microns, and the guard hair is 40 to 150 microns. Finer fibers are softer and more desirable for clothing and accessories, while coarser fibers are more durable and suitable for rugs and blankets. |
| Fiber structure | Alpaca fleece has a more uniform fiber structure than llama fleece, with less variation in fiber diameter and crimp (the natural waviness of the fiber). Alpaca fibers also have more scales on their surface, which makes the fibers catch together which makes spinning easier. Llama fibers have more medullation (the presence of hollow air-filled cells in the core of the fiber), which makes them less flexible and more prone to cause itchiness. |
| Fiber color | Alpaca fleece has a wide range of natural colors, with 22 recognized shades from white to black, including browns, grays, fawns, and reds. Llama fleece has plenty of natural colors but has more of a tendency to have spots or blotches of other colors mixed in. Both types of fleece can be dyed with natural or synthetic dyes to achieve different hues and patterns. |
| Fiber length | Alpaca fleece has a longer fiber length (staple length) than llama fleece, averaging about 4 to 6 inches while llama fleece can be long or short. Longer fibers are easier to spin and weave and produce smoother and stronger yarns and fabrics. |
Head Differences in Llamas and Alpacas
Llamas and alpacas also have different ear and face shapes. Llamas have long curved ears that are often compared to bananas. Llamas have more elongated faces than alpacas. Alpacas have shorter ears that are straight and pointy. They have smaller faces with blunter noses.
Other Differences Between Llamas and Alpacas
Other physical differences between llamas and alpacas include their teeth. LLamas incisors are fully enameled, whereas alpacas incisors lack enamel on the inside (tongue side).
Llamas have hips rotated forward and have a higher tail with a more square rump that allows them to carry heavy loads as a pack animal, while alpacas have a more rounded rump.
There are also general personality differences Alpacas are generally more timid and shy than llamas, and they tend to stay close to their herd for protection. They are also more docile and gentle, and they rarely spit or kick unless they are threatened.
Llamas, on the other hand, are more confident and curious than alpacas, and they like to explore their surroundings. They are also more assertive and independent, and they can be trained to carry loads or guard other animals. They are more likely to spit or kick if they are annoyed or challenged.
Not so Obvious Differences, Alpacas vs Llamas
- Llamas have fully enameled incisors, alpacas have incisors without enamel on the inside.
- Llamas have hips rotated forward and a higher tail with a square rump, and alpacas have a rounded rump.
- Llamas are confident, curious, assertive, and independent, alpacas are more timid, shy, and docile.
- Llamas can carry loads or guard other animals, alpacas stay close to their herd for protection.
- Llamas are more likely to spit or kick, alpacas rarely do so unless threatened.
Here are Some of the Common Uses of Alpacas and Llamas:
Supporting Families in South America and Elsewhere Economically
The greatest use and the reason they’ve survived so long is the income-producing potential for the families, communities, and counties of the Andes Mountains that developed these amazing animals!
Guard Animals
Llamas are often used as guard animals for livestock, such as sheep and alpacas. They are alert and protective and will chase away predators like coyotes, dogs, or foxes. They can also spit, kick or bite if threatened. Llamas can bond with their herd and act as leaders and defenders. Gelded male alpacas are sometimes used for this purpose.
LLamas are Pack Animals
Llamas are also used as pack animals, especially in mountainous regions where they can carry heavy loads over long distances. They are strong and sturdy and can carry up to 20% of their body weight. They are also gentle and easy to train, as long as they are not overloaded or mistreated.
Therapy Animals, Some Alpacas and Llamas are Wonderful!
Alpacas are mainly used for their soft and luxurious fleece, which is highly valued for its quality and variety of colors. However, alpacas and occasionally llamas can also be used as therapy animals, as they are calm, gentle, and curious.
They can provide comfort and companionship to people with disabilities, mental health issues, or emotional stress. They can also visit schools, hospitals, or nursing homes to interact with children, patients, or seniors.
Locations Where Alpacas and Llamas Came From
Alpacas and llamas are domesticated animals that belong to the camelid family. They are native to South America, where they live in the high altitudes of the Andes mountains. Alpacas and llamas can be found in Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador, and Argentina.
Ancestors of Alpacas and Llamas
Alpacas and llamas are descended from wild camelids that lived in North America millions of years ago. These ancestors migrated to South America around 3 million years ago during the Great American Interchange, a period of faunal exchange between the continents, and became the modern-day vicunas and guanacos.
Earlier, around 6 million years ago these ancient camelids migrated into Asia and beyond becoming the dromedary and Bactrian camels. The present-day wild camelids that gave rise to alpacas and llamas are the vicuña and the guanaco, respectively. Vicuñas and guanacos still exist in the wild today.
History and Origin of Llamas and Alpacas
Alpacas and llamas were selectively bred and domesticated by the ancient peoples of the Andes, the Quechua, and Aymara. How they developed their advanced knowledge of genetics thousands of years ago remains quite a mystery!
Alpacas and llamas were introduced to Europe by the Spanish conquistadors in the 16th century, and later to other parts of the world by traders and explorers. Today, alpacas and llamas are bred in many countries for their fleece, meat, and as pets.
Conclusion
In conclusion, as to the question of alpacas vs llamas, now you know that while llamas and alpacas may seem like two peas in a pod, they are actually quite different. Llamas are the larger of the two, with elongated faces and banana-sized ears. Alpacas, on the other hand, are smaller with short ears and blunt faces.
Their hair also differs, with alpacas having shaggy hair used for fleece production and llamas having coarser hair. Additionally, their dispositions differ, with llamas being used as pack animals and guard animals while alpacas are more timid and prefer to stick with their herd. So next time you see a llama or an alpaca, don’t be fooled by their similar appearances – they are two very different creatures