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Why are Alpacas not Llamas?

jennislay

Published: 27 Nov 2018 › Updated: 27 Nov 2018Why are Alpacas not Llamas?

Why are Alpacas not Llamas?

Definitely thought these were basically the same thing, but I was wrong. (After only a short 25 years to learn this info...!)

moustache llama v alpaca.jpg

Turns out, they're related via a common ancestor, Protylopus, which was basically a really short old school llama with four-toed hooves (!).This was where their shared family, Camelidae, started - making both alpacas & llamas "Camelids".
Both Camelids have been bred for over 5,000 years, each for a different purpose: Alpacas have been bred for fiber, while llamas have been bred for pack animals. They come from South America (especially Peru).


alpacas-sheered-01.jpg

Also, Alpacas look absolutely hilarious when they're freshly sheared. Photo credit National Smithsonian.

Weird fact about both Llamas and Alpacas: They all poop in one place! Both use a communal dung pile, which is pretty freaking convenient as a farmer but is also a little bit like weird giant cats using a litter box.

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You're welcome.


Am I the only one that didn't know any of this stuff?!
Let me know in the comments!
xoxo J

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