| Llama | Vicuña | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Lama glama | Vicugna vicugna |
| Status | domestic | wild |
| Height | 40-50 in (102-127 cm) at the withers | about 30-35 in (75-90 cm) |
| Weight | 250-450 lb (113-204 kg) | 77-143 lb (35-65 kg) |
| Lifespan | 15-25 years | 15-20 years in the wild |
| Gestation | about 345-350 days | about 330-350 days |
| Origin | Domesticated from the guanaco in the Andes | Wild ancestor of the alpaca; high Andes of Peru, Bolivia, Argentina and Chile |
| Population | about 7-8 million, mostly in Bolivia | about 450,000-500,000, recovered from ~6,000 in the 1960s |
| Fiber | Double coat with coarse guard hair and soft undercoat | The finest animal fiber, about 12-14 µm |
| Used for | Pack animal, guardian, fiber, meat | Protected wildlife; community live-shearing (chaccu) |
| Ears | Long, curved banana-shaped | Short |
| Back & tail | Straight back, tail carried up | Slender and graceful |
| Temperament | Confident and independent; often used as herd guardians | Wild, territorial family groups |
Species profiles
FAQ
What is the difference between a llama and a vicuña?
The llama is about 3.2× heavier than the vicuña. Llama: pack animal, guardian, fiber, meat; Vicuña: protected wildlife; community live-shearing (chaccu). Llamas have long, curved banana-shaped ears; vicuñas have short ears.
Which is bigger, a llama or a vicuña?
The llama (250-450 lb (113-204 kg)) is bigger than the vicuña (77-143 lb (35-65 kg)).
Can llamas and vicuñas live together?
Wild camelids are protected wildlife and are not kept on farms.