Vicuñas: South American camelids

There are two wild South American camelids, the vicuñas (Vicugna vicugna) and the guanaco (Lama guanicoe).

The vicuñas is the smallest of the extant camelids, weighing 45 to 55 kg and standing only 86 to 96 at the shoulder.

Unlike guanacos, vicuñas are specialist grazers of low growing forbs and perennial grass on the high puna, where their very fine wool insulates against severe cold.

Vicuñas live in family groups of between five and ten individuals, led by a dominant male. At adulthood, males leave the family to form bachelor groups of their own.

Each family group usually has two territories. The larger feeding territory may cover as much as 18.2 hectares. A smaller, more isolated territory is reserved for sleeping.

There are two recognized varieties of vicunas, the northern or Peruvian vicuna with its characteristics chest markings is found in Peru, Bolivia, and northern Chile.

The larger southern variety commonly described as the ‘Argentine’ vicuna, lacks the lighter colored chest markings and is found in Argentina and central Chile.

Vicuña lives at altitudes higher than 3,658 meters and is specially adapted to the rigors of the Andes. The vicuña fur is considered the finest in the world and it works to trap air and keep the animals warm in frigid temperatures.
Vicuñas: South American camelids

Wild Guanacos of South America

Today, this species found in southern Peru along the Andean zone of Chile and Argentina and thence to Tierra de Fuego and Navarino Island.

This species inhabits arid, semi-arid, hilly, mountain, steppe and temperate forest environments.

It is the largest of the wild South American camelids, weighing 100 to 130 kg and standing to 100 to 120 cm at the shoulder.

As generalized browsers and grazers, guanacos can be either sedentary or migratory depending upon local conditions and the seasonal need to relocate for forage. They are by nature the most adaptable, and thrive in a broad range of ecosystems.

Cold or temperate open areas such as shrub-steppe and semi-arid brushlands are preferred, but the habitat may range from desserts of the western Andean slopes to the wet coastal rainforest of Tierra del Fuego.

The guanaco exist only in the wild and has a shaggy coat dark chestnut brown and looks somewhat like Llama.
Wild Guanacos of South America

Alpacas of Andes Mountains

Alpacas are members of the camelid family. The camelid family includes camels from Africa and Llamas, alpacas, guanacos and vicunas from South America.

In South America, alpacas live in the cold, windy Andes Mountains. The alpaca is farmed mainly for fibre. Alpacas are also used to guard other stock. Males over two years of age are particularly useful to chase fixes or dogs, protecting other livestock such as sheep.

South American camelids were a vital part of life in the Andes in the days of the Incas before the arrival of the Spanish Conquistadors. During that time, the wearing of robes of alpaca was reserved for the nobility and royalty.

Alpacas are slender-bodied animals with a long neck and legs, a short tail, a small head and large pointed ears. They are about one-half the size of a llama, Alpacas weigh between 100-200 pounds and are about 36 tall at the withers.

Alpacas can come in a very wide variety of colors. The main colors though are brown, black, white palomino and grey.

They are known to be hardy and disease resistant and protective of their young from dogs and foxes. 

Alpacas come in two varieties, distinguishable by their fleece. Huacaya alpacas have shorter crimpier, spongy fibres, whereas Suri alpacas have longer straight fibres with no crimp.
Alpacas of Andes Mountains

Llama

Llamas are native to South America and belong to the same family as camels.

Llamas have been raised in several countries in South America for hundreds of years. It is among the world’s oldest domestic animals.

Llamas are social and curious animals. Some llamas are extremely well trained, while other may never have been touched.

They are well adapted to the cool, thin mountain air of Andes Mountains but can adapt to most climatic conditions. The high oxygen affinity of its hemoglobin enables its blood to take up oxygen at the low pressure.

Llamas and camels are part of a group of animals called camelids. Being related to the camel, llamas can last longer than many other animals between drinks of water and can subsist on low quality.

In North America, Europe and Australia llamas are used as pet animals, backpacking for trekking expedition, tourism, cart pulling, parades and fairs, guardians of other livestock such as sheep.
Llama