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. Alpacas generally live 15 to 20 years, with a few living up to 30 years of age. Most are the second variety. Yes they have such gorgeous faces. The Huacaya Alpaca fiber is crimpy, warm, elastic, and hypoallergic. By using this site, you accept our use of cookies. 2. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. They have a lot of power, and can travel far with a heavy load without needing much water. Annual global output for llama yarn is … … Wandering traders always spawn with two leashedtrader llamas. I enjoy learning and helping others discover the joys of working with yarn. Alpaca ears point straight out. An alpaca tends to be very skittish and timid, but gentle. Though alpacas and llamas belong to the same family, the two breeds are quite different in many respects. I’m Jodie Morgan, owner and creator of Knit Like Granny. The Size; Llamas are the bigger animal by far, at about double the size of an alpaca. They are cousins after all. Llama fiber is lightweight but incredibly warm. Though they look plump and rounded, it’s their hair. Alpacas don’t spit often, but they spit at each other. Though they’re all quite similar in appearance, and come from one ancestor. Soft to touch, that’s why it’s sought after for knits. Older information online will state Michigan has a very large population, but this is actually false. is primarily raised for its fiber which is very low micron and has no “scratchy” feel. That also explains the closer relationship with humans. I created Knit Like Granny to help show 1,000,000 people the benefits of knitting & highlight alternatives to fast fashion. There are two breeds of alpaca, Suri and Huacaya. Nowadays, their numbers have recovered to approximately 350,000. By the end of this post, you’ll know how to tell the difference between an alpaca and a llama! 8 Interesting Facts About Machu Picchu in Peru • Our Whole Village. The Huacaya alpaca has very thick, soft, crimped fleece, similar to sheep wool. Alpacas generally weigh between 48 – 84 kg or 150 pounds. They have a lot of thick, soft fur, usually on top of the head and around the neck. . Alpacas have a more rounded, sloping body. If you buy through a link on this page, I may earn an affiliate commission. Fun Fact: Huacaya fleece lacks lanolin, making it hypoallergenic. I unfortunately accidentally washed my knitted scarf made with baby alpaca wool in the washing machine. 10% of llamas spawn as babies. I love knitting with baby alpaca yarn, it is super soft and squooshy. They snip the grass, not ripping the whole piece of grass out, including its roots. Alpaca have short ears, shaped like spears, with a point at the top. My posts contain affiliate links. Do you work with Alpaca wool, or perhaps you’ve worked with Llama wool? Llamas are more aggressive and suspicious of strangers. They tread lightly, not damaging pastures. Yes, you can actually adopt one of these furry cuties. In North America, around 10,000 to 12,000 yrs ago, camelids were extinct. If you have any other llama facts for kids or alpaca facts for kids, please leave them in the comments below. Livestock Guardian Guanacos are larger than vicuñas but smaller than llamas. Fully grown llamas approximately weigh between 130 – 200 kg or 400 pounds. They’re similar, such as being from the same family, Camelidae (camel family). Or have a question? 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, … We use a couple as guard animals for the sheep. They’ve been repopulating since 2007 in South America. Less than ten percent of the alpaca population are suris. Alpaca vs Llama . - Dedicated to Twaimz for being a Llama lover. Alpacas are bred for their soft fleece .Because of this, they tend to lead a life of leisure compared to the llama! Alpaca vs Llama Comparison in Detail Llamas have relatively long, straight backs, better suited to carry packs. Sep 8, 2018 - Explore Susan Hamel's board "Alpaca vs Llama" on Pinterest. Cheers. Llamas have short, coarse hair, which is double-coated. The undercoat is softer and more delicate, sometimes used for garments. A good pack llama is easy to train, calm and relaxed on the trail, and happy to trek at a leisurely pace. Fair enough, at first glance, they look alike. The wool from the first shearing is the finest, and is called baby alpaca. So what is your alpaca vs llama conclusion? 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. You’ll wonder what you were missing! An average alpaca stands around 35 inches tall while an average llama stands around 45 inches tall. i never knew this much about them. The outer coat is very rough, with a scratchy feel, and is used for ropes and rugs. […] the Inca Empire’s heyday, Machu Picchu also provides excellent opportunities to see firsthand the differences between llamas and alpacas. Huacaya has short, crimpy, and fluffy fleece. Their size: Alpacas generally weigh in at around 150 pounds while llamas can get as heavy as 400 pounds. Llamas and alpacas have lanolin-free fleece, unlike sheep. Hi Louise. Take this quiz to find out! Some farmers use llamas as guard animals and to protect an alpaca herd. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. KnitLikeGranny.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. They’re curious, quick to learn new things and approaches people without hesitation. Alpaca and llama fleece are classified as specialty or luxury fibers, but sheep fleece or wool tops the list of animal fibers used today. Llamas – They have a fine undercoat and a coarser outer coat. The alpaca also produces more fleece than its larger cousin and in a much greater variety of colors. I have a herd of 50 alpacas and one reason that I chose them is because they are very gentle and cooperative animals.. Llamas The easiest way is to look at their ears. 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. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. In terms of temperament and fiber characteristics, Alpacas are better than 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. Very intelligent, some people teach them to do tricks, like a dog! It’s very difficult for the layperson to tell the difference between these two animals. 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). They’re sometimes used as a source of meat. We use cookies on this site to optimize site functionality and give you the best possible experience. You can see there is a difference between a llama and alpaca. While alpacas and llamas are the ones that are most commonly mixed up, there is also a lot of confusion when it comes to … I too love baby alpaca yarn. During National Alpaca Farm Days everyone can meet an Alpaca at a local farm! Both animals are a native of the country and have been a part of the local customs, traditions, and history for a long time. Let’s examine the similarities between an alpaca vs llamas. Alpaca Vs Llama – The Verdict. 6. can have what I call “an attitude” which is just a more independent spirit. If separated from its alpaca herd, this herd animal would die from loneliness. The more agitated the alpaca is, the further it goes into its intestinal stomachs to bring up spit. Learn more. . 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. The huacaya alpaca has a wooly, dense, crimped fleece. my child hood is officially ruined! Sources: openherd.com, lifeandscience.org, mountairyalpacas.com, marylandalpacas.org, Plus: See more stories from Alpaca Week ». You might think Alpacas and llamas are the same animals. Have you learned something about these animals, or which one do you prefer? Hope my one year old can’t tell . 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. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. Learn how your comment data is processed. Alpacas have small faces and shorter ears, and their faces are covered in fur. Alpacas also tend to be a bit more skittish than llamas, which are often used as guard animals for alpacas, sheep, and other small livestock. They’re believed to come from North America (around 40 million yrs ago). See more ideas about alpaca, llama, cute animals. (Yes, I’m a real person :) ) Thanks for being here. Alpaca vs. Llama. 1. 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. I love the way you explained it nice info alpacas are found in South America region and I love them. 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 | … During breeding, the male alpaca emits a unique throaty vocalization called "orgling." They both eat feed and grass and are both quite calm creatures. The same goes for weight as llamas are heavier than alpacas. Alpacas have padded feet, unlike cows who have hoofed feet. Two subspecies of alpaca are the most popular in the market: Huacaya alpaca and Suri alpaca. They have long, skinny necks, big bodies, and a small gray long face with pointy banana shaped ears. Stay Home, Plant a Garden, Support a charity. 6 Things You Should to Know Before Getting a Pet Llama or Alpaca. Fun Fact: The scientific name of Alpacas is ‘Vicugna pacos.’ ‘Vicugna’ sounds like ‘vicuna,’ and vice-versa. Size. There is a significant difference in their weight too. These banana shaped ears stick almost straight up out from the head. Llamas are also a South American camelid, related to the Guanaco. One of the easiest ways to tell a llama from an alpaca is the "banana ears" on a llama, which arch inwards. Llamas have a longer face, similar to a kangaroo or horse, and prominent muzzles. Geez they look so similar but now thanks to your helpful post, I can spot the differences. It’s incredibly soft and warm. 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. The first, and most obvious difference between llama vs alpaca, is their size. Great to hear my post was helpful. After vicuñas, llama fiber is precious. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. At first glance, alpacas may resemble their larger camelid cousin the llama, but they are quite different. If you knit, treat yourself to an alpaca sweater. They’re in the same family but all different. They’re still in and around Machu Picchu today! 1. Alpacas faces are short, have a blunt muzzle, and are very fluffy. Great..I bought a stuffed animal thinking it was a llama but now looking at it I see that it resembles an alpaca. A big lesson learnt. 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. Many people have businesses where they have hand made products from Alpaca and Llama wool. The llama is larger than an alpaca. Learn More. Llamas spit at each other, when showing they’re more dominant, and to make sure the ‘lower class’ is disciplined. Llamas don’t have much hair on their heads but a bit on their necks. Alpaca wool is water and flame resistant. A great difference between an alpaca and a llama is in their height and weight. The yarn is perceived as being rougher and less desirable than alpaca yarn, although better-quality llama fiber can be comparable to alpaca. There are approximately 300,000 alpacas within the United States. Try an alpaca sweater some day, and you won’t ever (Pack animals are used to carry loads during long journeys on foot.) Something I forgot? The Unbelievably Sweet Alpacas By Marygrace Taylor. Alpaca ears are short and shaped like spears. The number of both these animals in Peru is fairly even. Hi there Merrilyn. In Bedrock Edition, there is no spawn egg for trader llamas. The herd all place their poop in one spot. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Llama vs Alpaca – Quick Facts – 11 Key Differences. Learn how your comment data is processed. Guanacos are one of the largest mammals on the continent. Alpacas are 81 – 99 cm tall at the withers (shoulder area). Llama and Alpacas are from the Andes Mountains, in central and South America. Purpose - Alpaca have been bred for 1000's of years for their fine fleece. Llamas are pack animals. Jul 23, 2018 Grafissimo Getty Images. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. In terms of height (measuring at the shoulder), Llamas are the taller species, at … An alpaca is social. Llama Image Credit: ZEBULON72, Pixabay. These are two exclusive South American camels with characteristic appearances. Alpaca vs Llama: List of top 10 differences. Hello there Llama. Alpacas – As I mentioned above, there are two types, the Huacaya and the Suri. I’d love to hear your thoughts. ... Alpaca garments – shopping guide. They make excellent guard animals as they have a protective instinct. They are both from the same camelid family. Size. They’re herd animals. The Alpaca has short & spear-shaped ears and Llama has long & curved ears. Leave a comment at the end. Below is the top 10 list of ways to tell the difference between an alpaca and a llama. Alpacas have shaggy wool that’s much finer and softer as well. Llama vs. Alpaca - Llama and alpaca are types of hoofed mammals that belong to the camel family. 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). 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. The hair grows toward the ground. They hum! Peru has both llamas and Alpacas! This one of the first things to look for, and one of the easiest ways to distinguish an alpaca from a llama. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Since llamas are used for carrying packs, they can hold loads up to 25 – 30 percent of their body weight for 8 – 13 km. Both animals don’t have top front teeth. Poachers heavily hunted them. Their dispositions: Alpacas are very much herd animals, while llamas are more independent minded. They’re also quite heavy, able to reach up to 400 pounds. The alpaca, the llama, and their camelid family cousins, vicunas, and guanacos. Thanks for your kind words Stuart. I love knitting and have met so many other fabulous knitters through this site. This post contains affiliate links. Alpacas are domesticated versions of vicugña pacos, South American ruminants that live high in the Andes. They both produce one child annually, known as a cria. The llama is the biggest animal of the three. These cookies do not store any personal information. You can learn more about how we grade alpaca fiber in this article. The Llama is about twice the size of the Alpaca. If you’re alpaca farmer or llama farmer, you must have to deal with people confusing your animals for the other all the time! Peru, Bolivia, and Chile have the largest number of Alpacas. Important Note: There are four similar animals all related to each other. A llama is independent, and aren’t herd animals. It depends on the individual animal, but alpacas are generally friendlier. Typical llama fiber is comparable to sheep’s wool in terms of weight and texture. Let the similarities confuse you no longer. 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. Both llama and alpaca originate from the Andes in South America. They come in four variants of coat colors: brown, cream, white, gray. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Their neck and body are slim underneath. Their fur comes in a wide range of sizes, shades and colors, from white to an almost jet black. Ses oreilles sont en forme de banane contrairement à l’alpaga qui a des oreilles droites et pointues. On the other hand, alpacas are much smaller, typically weighing around 140 pounds versus a llama ‘s 250 pounds. Here is a list of the difference between Alpacas and llamas. Llama Banana Ears. Alpacas and llama belong to the same Camelidae family. Full-grown llamas grow to around 1.7 to 1.8 meters tall. Suri hair is long, straight, and tassel-like, a bit like dreadlocks. Llama vs. Alpaca. At first glance, they look indistinguishable from llamas, but there are differences! Quelles sont les différences principales entre le lama et l’alpaga ? Le lama est environ deux fois la grosseur d’un alpaga et est plus grand d’un demi-mètre. They exhibit a range of differences between them, and it is always good to be aware of those. Three million years later, they migrated to South America, because of the Great American Interchange. Despite being native to South America, there are about 300,000 of Alpacas and llamas in the United States. Alpaca vs Llama: What is the difference? The alpaca It’s easier for the farmer to collect fertilizer. Alpaca inhabits humid and wet foothills, while llama prefers cold and dry plains on the higher altitudes. Their ears: Alpaca ears have short spear-shaped ears while llamas have much longer, banana-shaped ears. Suri Alpaca fiber doesn’t have a crimp and suited to weaving. Also, guards for livestock like sheep and others. However, the alpaca and llama difference is pretty subtle. 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 … 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. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. They stand 32-39 inches at the shoulder. 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. At the shoulder, an average alpaca stands between 34 and 36 inches, while a llama generally ranges between 42 and 46 inches. The smaller alpaca isn’t really suited for heavy loads. Llamas also generally do not have as much hair on their head and face as alpacas do. Do you know your Llama's compared to yo Alpaca's? 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. Another thing to quickly tell them apart is to observe their ears. Much appreciated. Suri has silky dreadlock-like hair that grows toward the ground and better suited for weaving. They’re also very shy around people. I’ll explain the information in further detail down below. Please say hello! Llama fiber is more coarse, normally 50-65 microns and not as suitable for garments. Domesticated Alpacas are descendants of the wild South American ‘vicuña,’ from the camelid family, native to the central Andes. How can I quickly tell an Alpaca apart from a Llama? At the shoulder, an average alpaca stands between 34 and 36 inches, while a llama generally ranges between 42 and 46 inches. They always spawn when a wandering trader is spawned using a spawn egg or by using the /summon command, although a trader … Their faces: Llamas have a longer face; an alpaca’s face is a bit more blunt, giving them a “smooshed in” look. But they’re different creatures. Alpacas are significantly smaller compared to llamas. While people raised them primarily for their fiber, the llama also was—and is—a draft and pack animal in the Andes Mountains. Although they are centralized in Peru, they can also be found in Bolivia, Argentina and Chile. The rough outer coat is used for lead ropes, rugs and wall hangings. The two have been traced from the Inca period. Llama ears are long, curved, and have ears shaped like bananas almost. Alpacas have excellent bathroom etiquette. Llama vs. Alpaca: Similarities. Such as ponchos, hats, scarves, socks, sweaters, blankets, even toys. The undercoat is much softer, used mainly for handicrafts and clothes. Alpacas are shy, timid, and more likely to ‘fly’ than ‘fight’ if provoked or threatened. Read the latest reviews on our favorite products. go back to wool. They’re even softer and warmer than cashmere! Their faces: Llamas have a longer face; an alpaca’s face is a bit more blunt, giving them a “smooshed in” look.