The Difference Between Llamas and Alpacas

Most people have difficulty discerning the difference between llamas and alpacas. Although alpacas and llamas look very similar and have the same basic body shape, they are definitely two distinct species. The two animals do not even belong to the same genus. Llamas belong to the genus Lama, while alpacas belong to the genus Vicugna. It is widely believed that domesticated llamas were bred from earlier populations of wild guanaco while alpacas were bred from the presently endangered Vicuna.

And while the distinction may be difficult or even possible to discern for the casual observer, the difference between llamas and alpacas is as obvious as the difference between night and day for a person experienced with working with llamas and/or alpacas.

In this article, we'll be teaching you how to tell the difference between llamas and alpacas with ease. While it may not be the most useful party trick in the work, being able to tell the difference between llamas and alpacas is sure to impress your kids the next time you drive by a farm.

The Physiological difference between llamas and alpacas

Physiological traits are probably the most obvious difference between llamas and alpacas. In general, Llamas are relatively larger than alpacas. The average llama will stand between 42 and 48 inches at the withers whereas the average alpacas will stand between 34 and 36 inches at the withers.

Another physiological difference between llamas and alpacas are the shapes of their ears. Llama will often have round, "banana shaped" ears, while alpaca ears will be straight, like rabbit ears.

The Coat differences between llamas and alpacas

Another major difference between llamas and alpacas are structures of their coats. Llamas have double coated pelts. This pelt consists of a rough, wiry outer coat which is used to protect the softer inner coat, which is used to keep the llama warm.

Conversely, alpacas only have a single coat which is much denser and softer than either the inner or outer coats of a llama. Alpaca wool also grows at a much more prodigious rate than llama wool. An alpaca cannot reasonably remain healthy in the hot summertime unless it is properly shorn of its wooly coat, while llamas can be relatively self-sustaining.

The Functional difference between llamas and alpacas

Many of the differences between llamas and alpacas are attributable to the different goals that were in mind while breeding them.

Llamas were bred as beasts of burden. Up until the Spanish conquests, llamas and other camelids were the only domesticated ungulates in South America. Llamas were therefore developed as beasts of burden in the absence of other pack animals such as horses, donkeys, or oxen. Interestingly enough, llamas are also often used as guard animals. This, along with their role as load bearing animals, explains the llama's larger size.

Alpacas on the other hand were bred to be suppliers of wool, similar to sheep. This explains their thicker, softer and more luxurious coat which grows at a much faster rate.

The temperament difference between llamas and alpacas

As far as the difference in temperament goes between llamas and alpacas; it depends who you're talking to. Llama owners will swear by their sweet little lapdogs, while alpaca farmers will go to bat for their adorable alpaca angels. On average, people who have owned both tend to think that alpacas are slightly more skittish than llamas, which is again attributable to the fact that llamas were bred as working animals and needed to be trainable.

Ultimately, however, if you're trying to decide which animal you like better, the only way to really decide is to go out and meet a few.