Creature Feature: Shama Llama Ding Dong

In this special edition of Creature Feature, we are entering a different continent! I have recently journeyed to the South American country of Peru. While there, I was able to experience and photograph some of the country’s most iconic animals. Did you know that South America has four species related to camels? In this issue, we will be highlighting all four of these cousins. By the end, it may be no surprise to find why countries like Peru are given nicknames such as Llama Land. ¡Vamos!

Llama (Lama glama)

Let’s start with a familiar one; llamas are domesticated pack animals of the Andes region within South America. A trait that many connect to this creature is the act of spitting. If raised correctly, a llama spitting onto a human should be a rare occurrence, as it is an act of dominance between one another. What sets llamas apart from other ruminants (sheep, goats, cows) are the amount of chambers within their stomachs. While ruminants have four-chambered stomachs, the llama only has three. Llamas also have long intestines, which helps them reabsorb water and other vitamins back into their system. This is an advantage when living in high and dry altitudes.

Llamas feeding on a mixture of plants.

Alpaca (Lama pacos)

Smaller than the llama, but still similar nonetheless, the alpaca is another domesticated species of the Andes. The two are so closely related, that successful breeding between the two species can occur. Unlike the llama, which was intended as a pack animal, the alpaca is raised for its hair fibers. These fibers are then woven into clothing, and other textiles. There are two types, or breeds of alpacas: the Huacaya alpaca, and the less common Suri alpaca. The two are differentiated by the thickness of their fleece.

Alpacas grazing by Incan ruins.

Guanaco

This species is one of the two wild species of camelids that is likely the ancestor to the domesticated llama. While there is a population within Peru, much of the guanaco population dwells in the Patagonian regions of Argentina. They are described as having a gray head and face, small ear, a brownish topside, and a white underside. Although they are preyed upon by mountain lions and Andean foxes, guanacos are able to thrive in high altitudes where oxygen is low. The trick is that guanacos have approximately four times the amount of red blood cells that humans have. This high count of red blood cells allows the guanaco to hold more oxygen in altitudes where it may be lacking.

Vicuña

Just like how the guanaco was the ancestor to llamas, our last camelid species is the assumed ancestor to the alpaca. Living high in the alpines of the Andes Mountains, the vicuña is special. The national animal of Peru, vicuñas were endangered in the 1970s, where only several thousand remained. Due to continued conservation efforts, the population has since recovered. A final fun fact before signing off - vicuñas have some of the finest hair fibers in the world, making any textiles involving vicuña hair both valuable, and expensive. The only animals believed to surpass the vicuñas fine hair fibers include the angora rabbit, and the Tibetan antelope. 

Vicuñas resting on the ground.

Submitted by naturalist Zach Mork, January 2024