Fleecy Camelids – Llamas and Alpacas
Lama Glama and Vicugna Pacos, better known by their common names llamas and alpacas, are two of the most beloved members of the Camelid family. Other than the camel, these two animals are the only Camelids that can be domesticated. Their relatives, Vicuna and Guanaco, cannot and are only found in the wild.
On average, a llama lives for about fifteen to twenty-nine years. An alpaca lives almost as long: twenty to twenty-five years. Both creatures are ruminants, which means that they have stomachs that contain four compartments. These compartments are the rumen, the reticulum, the omasum, and the abomasum. When they eat something, for example hay or pasture, the food comes back up later partially digested in the form of cud.
It is not rare for a llama to be mistaken for an alpaca, or vice versa, as many people believe that they are the same creature. However, there are palpable differences between the two family members. For starters, alpacas are petite compared to llamas. An alpaca, on average, is around 35 inches at the shoulder. However, the average llama is around 45 inches tall at the shoulder. A llama usually weighs around 400 pounds, which is a big difference paralleled to the alpaca’s average of 150 pounds. Another difference is in the ears. The llama has ears that are similar to the shape of a banana. Alpacas have ears that are somewhat spear shaped. Just as it has a longer ear, the llama has a longer face than the alpaca. Alpacas are gentle animals that love being around their friends, making them perfect herd animals. Llamas, on the other hand, are more independent creatures. The main difference between the two family members is the fiber they produce. The fleece of the alpaca is generally soft and fluffy, while the fleece of the llama is coarse and is not a favorite among tailors.
Domesticated llamas and alpacas need large amounts of water and pasture, as well as the just as essential components care and love. To anyone who is interested in caring for one of more of these animals, it is highly recommended that a deduction is made after intense research.