This page contains text, pictures and videos that show similarities and comparisons between Alpaca, Vicuna, Llama, Guanaco, Bactrian Camel and the Dromedary Camel, all of which make up the family Camelidae.
Camelid Family
Both the Huacaya Alpaca and the Suri Alpaca have been bred from the Vicuna. The Llama has been bred from the Guanaco. Alpacas, Llamas, Vicunas and Guanacos are part of the Camelid family which also includes the Bactrian Camel and the Dromedary Camel. Alpacas, Llamas, Vicunas and Guanacos can be referred to as the South American Camelids, whereas the Dromedary is often referred to as the Arabian Camelid or Arabian Camel and the Bactrian is sometimes referred to as the Asian Camel. These references of course relate to the territorial areas in which each member evolved over time from their shared early ancestors.
All members of the Camelid family share common traits as described in the article Understanding Alpacas as a Species.
Vicunas and Guanacos are wild, whereas Alpacas and Llamas have been domesticated over time. The Vicuna is endangered and is only now recovering from recent near extinction.
Scroll down to view videos, then pictures of the camelids and a link to an article in Zoogoer which goes into some detail about the geographical, anatomical and social differences in the family camilidae.
Videos
Alpacas
The following video is of Alpacas in a compound in Peru, you can see quite clearly the difference between the Huacaya and the Suri, as the Suri alpacas are in full fleece and the locks are hanging to the ground. The first two alpacas being fed are Suri, then the third alpaca to be fed is a huacaya. It appears to be a grey huacaya with a white front. Most of the alpacas in this video are Suri, but there are a few Huacayas. The video also pans to a Guanaco in the background, also at the compound.
Llamas
The next video is of Guanacos and Llamas in the same compound as the video above. Its a good way to see the similarity in shape of the Guanaco and Llama. (The domesticated Llama having been bred from the wild Guanaco.) Note the size of the animals, the straight back, long muzzles, the way the rump and tail are quite sharp angles, and the large banana shaped ears of the Llamas and Guanacos. During the video it pans to a group of Vicuna in the background and you can see in contrast to Guanaco and Llama, how much smaller, fine boned and round and curvy the Vicuna are. Much like the Huacaya and Suri Alpacas shown in the first video, however this is harder to see because of the quantity of fleece the Alpacas are carrying.
Camels
This video shows both the Bactrian and the Dromedary Camel
Dromedary Camel
This video is of the Dromedary Camel and in some parts where the camels are sitting you can see their ability to open and close their nostrals, an ability that helps them to seal their nostrals against sand storms. Their pacing gait or the way they move both legs on one side at a time is also evident.
Bactrian Camel
This video is quite short and shows a Bactrian Camel eating some hay, you get a good indication of its size, and can see how big and wide his two toed splayed feet are. Also note the long tail, which is in contrast to the South American Camelid (Alpaca, Vicuna, Llama, Guanaco).
Guanacos Fighting
Click on the followng link to see a video of Guanacos fighting on the National Geographic website.
Photos
Click on the following links to see some pictures of the other members of the Alpaca family; Llamas, Vicunas, Guanacos and both the Dromedary and Bactrian Camels on the National Geographic website. We have tried to find good quality photos but we don't vouch for the quality of the animal itself :-)
Llama
Picture of a Llama overlooking Macchu Piccu
Vicuna
Guanaco
Bactrian Camel
Dromedary Camel
Link
This is a link to an article in Zoogoer which goes into some detail about the geographical, anatomical and social differences in the family camilidae.
