| Alpaca | Vicuña | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Vicugna pacos | Vicugna vicugna |
| Status | domestic | wild |
| Height | 32-39 in (81-99 cm) at the withers | about 30-35 in (75-90 cm) |
| Weight | 106-190 lb (48-86 kg) | 77-143 lb (35-65 kg) |
| Lifespan | 15-20 years (some 25+) | 15-20 years in the wild |
| Gestation | about 335 days (11.5 months) | about 330-350 days |
| Origin | Domesticated from the vicuña in the Andes about 6,000-7,000 years ago | Wild ancestor of the alpaca; high Andes of Peru, Bolivia, Argentina and Chile |
| Population | about 4-5 million worldwide, 80%+ in Peru | about 450,000-500,000, recovered from ~6,000 in the 1960s |
| Fiber | Fine fleece, 18-32 µm, no guard hair in quality animals | The finest animal fiber, about 12-14 µm |
| Used for | Fiber, companionship, agritourism | Protected wildlife; community live-shearing (chaccu) |
| Ears | Short, spear-shaped | Short |
| Back & tail | Rounded rump, tail carried down | Slender and graceful |
| Temperament | Shy, gentle herd animal; dislikes being touched on the head | Wild, territorial family groups |
Species profiles
FAQ
What is the difference between a alpaca and a vicuña?
The alpaca is about 1.3× heavier than the vicuña. Alpaca: fiber, companionship, agritourism; Vicuña: protected wildlife; community live-shearing (chaccu). Alpacas have short, spear-shaped ears; vicuñas have short ears.
Which is bigger, a alpaca or a vicuña?
The alpaca (106-190 lb (48-86 kg)) is bigger than the vicuña (77-143 lb (35-65 kg)).
Can alpacas and vicuñas live together?
Wild camelids are protected wildlife and are not kept on farms.