While in Chile we learned about many different species of animals that are native there, including guanacos, llamas, vicunas, and alpacas. During our trip we asked ourselves, “What is the difference between guanacos, llamas, vicunas, and alpacas”? Here is what I found.
Guanacos
Guanacos are much bigger than vicunas but are smaller than their llama domesticated form. They can live up to very high altitudes and can survive on very little water. All guanacos have brownish backs, white underneath, gray faces, and donkey-like ears.
Llamas
Llamas are the largest of the four animals and are the domesticated version of guanacos. They are also still used as transportation in some parts of the Andes Mountains. Llamas also have longer, funnier looking ears which are sort of shaped like a banana. The color of a llama’s fur can vary from white, gray, brown, black, or two colors mixed together.
Vicunas
Vicunas are the smallest of the four animals . They have shorter heads than guanacos and smaller pointier ears. The color of their fur is also similar to guanacos. Their fur is the finest of the four.
Alpacas
Alpacas are the domesticated version of vicunas. The alpacas’ wool is extremely soft and fluffy. Alpacas also have pear shaped-ears which make them easier to identify.
That is the difference between the four camalids in Chile. I think the Alpacas are the cutest. I hope this guide helps you to identify which one you are seeing (although it is still hard to tell guanacos from vicunas from a distance).
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