While the former produces a shorter and fluffy type of fiber, the latter produces a longer fiber. This one of the first things to look for, and one of the easiest ways to distinguish an alpaca from a llama. Learn More. Try an alpaca sweater some day, and you won’t ever Their dispositions: Alpacas are very much herd animals, while llamas are more independent minded. The Huacaya alpaca has very thick, soft, crimped fleece, similar to sheep wool. Generally, their wool creates a higher quality yarn than llamas. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Most are the second variety. 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). Learn how your comment data is processed. Both animals are a native of the country and have been a part of the local customs, traditions, and history for a long time. Llama and Alpacas are from the Andes Mountains, in central and South America. Guanacos are larger than vicuñas but smaller than llamas. An average alpaca stands around 35 inches tall while an average llama stands around 45 inches tall. You can learn more about how we grade alpaca fiber in this article. Peru, Bolivia, and Chile have the largest number of Alpacas. They are cousins after all. Their fur comes in a wide range of sizes, shades and colors, from white to an almost jet black. Typical llama fiber is comparable to sheep’s wool in terms of weight and texture. Full-grown llamas grow to around 1.7 to 1.8 meters tall. Some farmers use llamas as guard animals and to protect an alpaca herd. Quelles sont les différences principales entre le lama et l’alpaga ? They make excellent guard animals as they have a protective instinct. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. I’d love to hear your thoughts. They live in Peru, Chile, Patagonia in Argentina, and parts of Paraguay. Llamas are more aggressive and suspicious of strangers. We use cookies on this site to optimize site functionality and give you the best possible experience. Stay Home, Plant a Garden, Support a charity. It’s incredibly soft and warm. It’s used for knitting and crochet. Though they’re all quite similar in appearance, and come from one ancestor. They are both from the same camelid family. Very intelligent, some people teach them to do tricks, like a dog! In North America, around 10,000 to 12,000 yrs ago, camelids were extinct. Take this quiz to find out! I’ll explain the information in further detail down below. can have what I call “an attitude” which is just a more independent spirit. Alpaca vs Llama Comparison in Detail On the other hand, alpacas are much smaller, typically weighing around 140 pounds versus a llama ‘s 250 pounds. Llama fiber is more coarse, normally 50-65 microns and not as suitable for garments. Let’s examine the similarities between an alpaca vs llamas. Their ears: Alpaca ears have short spear-shaped ears while llamas have much longer, banana-shaped ears. While people raised them primarily for their fiber, the llama also was—and is—a draft and pack animal in the Andes Mountains. One of the easiest ways to tell a llama from an alpaca is the "banana ears" on a llama, which arch inwards. Michigan alpaca farmers are growing and I do expect this figure to increase year over year. These cookies do not store any personal information. It’s very difficult for the layperson to tell the difference between these two animals. The Alpaca has short & spear-shaped ears and Llama has long & curved ears. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. 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. They stay close to their herd. I too love baby alpaca yarn. They’re in the same family but all different. 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). Do you know your Llama's compared to yo Alpaca's? (Yes, I’m a real person :) ) Thanks for being here. Llamas grow up to twice the size of alpacas and belong to the camel family. They’ve been repopulating since 2007 in South America. You can see there is a difference between a llama and alpaca. Llama vs. Alpaca. Llamas are pack animals. But each species is unique and useful in different ways. Huacaya has short, crimpy, and fluffy fleece. Purpose - Alpaca have been bred for 1000's of years for their fine fleece. Alpacas are just the most adorable animals. Although they are centralized in Peru, they can also be found in Bolivia, Argentina and Chile. 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, … Llamas have short, coarse hair, which is double-coated. In terms of height (measuring at the shoulder), Llamas are the taller species, at … Their neck and body are slim underneath. . Llamas are also a South American camelid, related to the Guanaco. We use a couple as guard animals for the sheep. They are also able to protect themselves and can ward off animals such as coyotes and feral dogs. Alpaca have short ears, shaped like spears, with a point at the top. If separated from its alpaca herd, this herd animal would die from loneliness. Contact | Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Disclosure | Disclaimer | Cookie Policy. 8 Interesting Facts About Machu Picchu in Peru • Our Whole Village. These banana shaped ears stick almost straight up out from the head. In terms of temperament and fiber characteristics, Alpacas are better than llamas. I created Knit Like Granny to help show 1,000,000 people the benefits of knitting & highlight alternatives to fast fashion. There are approximately 300,000 alpacas within the United States. The camelids (alpaca and llama) are quite similar to each other in fiber and background, and though they bear some similarity to sheep, the differences between the fibers of these herding animals are outstanding. During breeding, the male alpaca emits a unique throaty vocalization called "orgling." 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 | … (Pack animals are used to carry loads during long journeys on foot.) Their camelid cousin, vicuñas, are smaller than alpacas and guanacos and are more delicate. The alpaca also produces more fleece than its larger cousin and in a much greater variety of colors. The smaller alpaca isn’t really suited for heavy loads. 2. Alpacas have shaggy wool that’s much finer and softer as well. At first, these south american animals from the camel family may look indistinguishable, as llamas and alpacas have a lot in common. Poachers heavily hunted them. Please say hello! Alpaca wool is water and flame resistant. Llama vs Alpaca – Quick Facts – 11 Key Differences. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Their size: Alpacas generally weigh in at around 150 pounds while llamas can get as heavy as 400 pounds. 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. Le lama est environ deux fois la grosseur d’un alpaga et est plus grand d’un demi-mètre. KnitLikeGranny.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. Great to hear my post was helpful. Suri alpaca is rarer, thus more expensive. Do you work with Alpaca wool, or perhaps you’ve worked with Llama wool? Oops and it felted. My posts contain affiliate links. There were 6000 left. However, the alpaca and llama difference is pretty subtle. A great difference between an alpaca and a llama is in their height and weight. Livestock Guardian These are two exclusive South American camels with characteristic appearances. my child hood is officially ruined! Wandering traders always spawn with two leashedtrader llamas. 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. Nowadays, their numbers have recovered to approximately 350,000. They’re even softer and warmer than cashmere! A big lesson learnt. If you’re alpaca farmer or llama farmer, you must have to deal with people confusing your animals for the other all the time! At the shoulder, an average alpaca stands between 34 and 36 inches, while a llama generally ranges between 42 and 46 inches. Llamas spit at each other, when showing they’re more dominant, and to make sure the ‘lower class’ is disciplined. Less than ten percent of the alpaca population are suris. 1. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. They tread lightly, not damaging pastures. Yes they have such gorgeous faces. Suri Alpaca fiber doesn’t have a crimp and suited to weaving. I have a herd of 50 alpacas and one reason that I chose them is because they are very gentle and cooperative animals.. Llamas Domesticated Alpacas are descendants of the wild South American ‘vicuña,’ from the camelid family, native to the central Andes. By using this site, you accept our use of cookies. Fun Fact: Huacaya fleece lacks lanolin, making it hypoallergenic. In Bedrock Edition, there is no spawn egg for trader llamas. Much appreciated. 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. Both animals don’t have top front teeth. The same goes for weight as llamas are heavier than alpacas. i never knew this much about them. Hi. Llamas – They have a fine undercoat and a coarser outer coat. There are two breeds of alpaca, Suri and Huacaya. If you buy through a link on my posts, I may earn an affiliate commission. Alpacas are shy, timid, and more likely to ‘fly’ than ‘fight’ if provoked or threatened. i always thought that they were pratically the same thing! The wool from the first shearing is the finest, and is called baby alpaca. So what is your alpaca vs llama conclusion? Have you learned something about these animals, or which one do you prefer? Sources: openherd.com, lifeandscience.org, mountairyalpacas.com, marylandalpacas.org, Plus: See more stories from Alpaca Week ». Alpacas have small faces and shorter ears, and their faces are covered in fur. Leave a comment at the end. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Alpaca ears point straight out. This mistake has led to many alpaca vs. llama debates, as well as many articles like this one trying to help people clear up the differences. Michigan has just over 8,000 registered alpacas which is only about 30% of Ohio’s 26,000 alpacas. 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. 6 Things You Should to Know Before Getting a Pet Llama or Alpaca. They have long, skinny necks, big bodies, and a small gray long face with pointy banana shaped ears. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. If you buy through a link on this page, I may earn an affiliate commission. For things like apparel, clothing, scarves and more. The undercoat is much softer, used mainly for handicrafts and clothes. 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…. 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 … I love the way you explained it nice info alpacas are found in South America region and I love them. go back to wool. They both produce one child annually, known as a cria. Three million years later, they migrated to South America, because of the Great American Interchange. Learn more. […] the Inca Empire’s heyday, Machu Picchu also provides excellent opportunities to see firsthand the differences between llamas and alpacas. Many people have businesses where they have hand made products from Alpaca and Llama wool. Their faces: Llamas have a longer face; an alpaca’s face is a bit more blunt, giving them a “smooshed in” look. Alpacas have padded feet, unlike cows who have hoofed feet. Alpacas generally weigh between 48 – 84 kg or 150 pounds. Or have a question? Hello there Llama. They’re believed to come from North America (around 40 million yrs ago). 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 have relatively long, straight backs, better suited to carry packs. Size. Important Note: There are four similar animals all related to each other. Hope my one year old can’t tell . If you have any other llama facts for kids or alpaca facts for kids, please leave them in the comments below. They come in four variants of coat colors: brown, cream, white, gray. You might think Alpacas and llamas are the same animals. Alpacas are 81 – 99 cm tall at the withers (shoulder area). Alpacas are bred for their soft fleece .Because of this, they tend to lead a life of leisure compared to the llama! They have a lot of thick, soft fur, usually on top of the head and around the neck. That also explains the closer relationship with humans. Jul 23, 2018 Grafissimo Getty Images. Soft to touch, that’s why it’s sought after for knits. This is the difference between an alpaca and a llama, both members of the camelid family. An adult llama in good condition that has been properly trained for packing can carry approximately 25 to 30 percent of his body weight, or around 100 pounds. Suri has silky dreadlock-like hair that grows toward the ground and better suited for weaving. After vicuñas, llama fiber is precious. Alpaca vs Llama: What is the difference? The herd all place their poop in one spot. Sep 8, 2018 - Explore Susan Hamel's board "Alpaca vs Llama" on Pinterest. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. The number of both these animals in Peru is fairly even. I love knitting with baby alpaca yarn, it is super soft and squooshy. The Size; Llamas are the bigger animal by far, at about double the size of an alpaca. A llama is independent, and aren’t herd animals. The rough outer coat is used for lead ropes, rugs and wall hangings. Though alpacas and llamas belong to the same family, the two breeds are quite different in many respects. The Unbelievably Sweet Alpacas 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. They’re also quite heavy, able to reach up to 400 pounds. - Dedicated to Twaimz for being a Llama lover. 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. 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. The llama is the biggest animal of the three. The yarn is perceived as being rougher and less desirable than alpaca yarn, although better-quality llama fiber can be comparable to alpaca. They’re curious, quick to learn new things and approaches people without hesitation. Next, I’ve listed the differences, tips to identify them, and fun facts. Also, guards for livestock like sheep and others. You’ll wonder what you were missing! I love knitting and have met so many other fabulous knitters through this site. 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. Alpacas faces are short, have a blunt muzzle, and are very fluffy. Both llama and alpaca originate from the Andes in South America. Alpaca vs Llama . Fair enough, at first glance, they look alike. They hum! The Llama is about twice the size of the Alpaca. 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. Yes, you can actually adopt one of these furry cuties. Llamas also generally do not have as much hair on their head and face as alpacas do. They’re herd animals. Despite being native to South America, there are about 300,000 of Alpacas and llamas in the United States. They’re similar, such as being from the same family, Camelidae (camel family). Read the latest reviews on our favorite products. The more agitated the alpaca is, the further it goes into its intestinal stomachs to bring up spit. The huacaya alpaca has a wooly, dense, crimped fleece. They have a lifespan of about 15-20 years. Fun Fact: The scientific name of Alpacas is ‘Vicugna pacos.’ ‘Vicugna’ sounds like ‘vicuna,’ and vice-versa. Hi there Merrilyn. 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. The undercoat is softer and more delicate, sometimes used for garments. The llama’s history differs from the alpaca. The easiest way is to look at their ears. Alpacas – As I mentioned above, there are two types, the Huacaya and the Suri. They snip the grass, not ripping the whole piece of grass out, including its roots. 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. Llamas don’t have much hair on their heads but a bit on their necks. There are, however, a few telltale signs that you can look for that will help you distinguish between the two. Here is a list of the difference between Alpacas and llamas. In 1974, they were endangered. Suri hair is long, straight, and tassel-like, a bit like dreadlocks. The outer coat is very rough, with a scratchy feel, and is used for ropes and rugs. During National Alpaca Farm Days everyone can meet an Alpaca at a local farm! The hair grows toward the ground. They’re sometimes used as a source of meat. Alpaca Vs Llama – The Verdict. An alpaca is social. Llama vs Alpaca – Quick Facts – 11 Key Differences. The llama is larger than an alpaca. 1. These tips will make it easier for you to know which animal you are looking at when you are at a farm, zoo or notice a herd coming towards your way. At the shoulder, an average alpaca stands between 34 and 36 inches, while a llama generally ranges between 42 and 46 inches. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Alpacas generally live 15 to 20 years, with a few living up to 30 years of age. They both eat feed and grass and are both quite calm creatures. Peru has both llamas and Alpacas! Alpacas and llama belong to the same Camelidae family. Llama fiber is lightweight but incredibly warm. It’s easier for the farmer to collect fertilizer. Guanacos are one of the largest mammals on the continent. Alpaca ears are short and shaped like spears. Pleasant! They always spawn when a wandering trader is spawned using a spawn egg or by using the /summon command, although a trader … Llama vs. Alpaca: Similarities. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. It depends on the individual animal, but alpacas are generally friendlier. There is a significant difference in their weight too. While alpacas and llamas are the ones that are most commonly mixed up, there is also a lot of confusion when it comes to … They have a lot of power, and can travel far with a heavy load without needing much water. Below is the top 10 list of ways to tell the difference between an alpaca and a llama. Llamas have a longer face, similar to a kangaroo or horse, and prominent muzzles. Hi Louise. The alpaca Their faces: Llamas have a longer face; an alpaca’s face is a bit more blunt, giving them a “smooshed in” look. The Huacaya Alpaca fiber is crimpy, warm, elastic, and hypoallergic. Cheers. Thanks for your kind words Stuart. They exhibit a range of differences between them, and it is always good to be aware of those. Alpaca inhabits humid and wet foothills, while llama prefers cold and dry plains on the higher altitudes. If you knit, treat yourself to an alpaca sweater. Llamas and alpacas have lanolin-free fleece, unlike sheep. … I unfortunately accidentally washed my knitted scarf made with baby alpaca wool in the washing machine. Alpaca vs. Llama. Such as ponchos, hats, scarves, socks, sweaters, blankets, even toys. 10% of llamas spawn as babies. At first glance, they look indistinguishable from llamas, but there are differences! Alpacas don’t spit often, but they spit at each other. Another thing to quickly tell them apart is to observe their ears. See more ideas about alpaca, llama, cute animals. By the end of this post, you’ll know how to tell the difference between an alpaca and a llama! But they’re different creatures. Yes, because Llamas have an innate desire to protect and exert their dominance. Alpacas are significantly smaller compared to llamas. Llama Image Credit: ZEBULON72, Pixabay. Two subspecies of alpaca are the most popular in the market: Huacaya alpaca and Suri alpaca. How can I quickly tell an Alpaca apart from a Llama? This post contains affiliate links. Alpaca vs llama. Learn how your comment data is processed. Geez they look so similar but now thanks to your helpful post, I can spot the differences. Llama vs. Alpaca - Llama and alpaca are types of hoofed mammals that belong to the camel family. Alpaca and llama fleece are classified as specialty or luxury fibers, but sheep fleece or wool tops the list of animal fibers used today. ... Alpaca garments – shopping guide. I enjoy learning and helping others discover the joys of working with yarn. Something I forgot? One exception is baby llama fiber which can be very soft and below 30 microns so it has a similar feel to alpaca. 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. is primarily raised for its fiber which is very low micron and has no “scratchy” feel. By Marygrace Taylor. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website.