Keeping Camelids Close

By Jennifer Nemec and Associate Editor
Published on January 1, 2008
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A herd of guanacos in Patagonia, Chile.
A herd of guanacos in Patagonia, Chile.
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The many natural colors of llama fiber, from tan to cinnamon to chocolate brown to silver gray to black, are represented here.
The many natural colors of llama fiber, from tan to cinnamon to chocolate brown to silver gray to black, are represented here.
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A guanaco mother and baby graze together. The gray face and pointed ears are characteristic.
A guanaco mother and baby graze together. The gray face and pointed ears are characteristic.
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A vicuña keeps a woman in traditional Peruvian dress company while she spins.
A vicuña keeps a woman in traditional Peruvian dress company while she spins.
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Suri alpaca fiber is silky, straight and lustrous. It is best suited for garments where drape is an asset and elasticity is less important.
Suri alpaca fiber is silky, straight and lustrous. It is best suited for garments where drape is an asset and elasticity is less important.
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Suri llamas are new on the scene, an attempt by llama breeders to recreate an ancient strain of fiber-producing llama. This extreme suri-fleeced llama is Peach Cheeks from Walnut Ridge Llamas.
Suri llamas are new on the scene, an attempt by llama breeders to recreate an ancient strain of fiber-producing llama. This extreme suri-fleeced llama is Peach Cheeks from Walnut Ridge Llamas.
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Huacaya alpaca fiber is soft, dense, fluffy and crimpy. The fibers are mostly hollow (for warmth) and work well to create a light, lofty yarn.
Huacaya alpaca fiber is soft, dense, fluffy and crimpy. The fibers are mostly hollow (for warmth) and work well to create a light, lofty yarn.
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Huacaya alpacas are much more common than their suri cousins.
Huacaya alpacas are much more common than their suri cousins.
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While the sheep, cow and horse seem to have been around forever, the llama and alpaca are fairly new faces in the barnyard. But these South American camelids are slowly becoming a popular herd in the United States.

Relatives of the camel, the llama family originated in North America, but they migrated south millennia ago and were domesticated at least 4,000 years ago as pack, meat and fiber animals in Bolivia, Chile and Peru. Four camelid species populate the Andean highlands: the wild vicuña and guanaco and the domesticated llama and alpaca.

These cud-chewing ungulates are equipped with a three-chambered stomach and two-toed feet complete with toenails and a tough, leathery sole-pad.

Adapted to steep and rocky terrain, South American camelids can move the pads on their toes to get a better grip. The four species, while distinct, can interbreed, and unlike mules, babies born of llama and alpaca parents are fertile.

Wild ancestors

As the probable ancestor of the llama, the guanaco (gwah-nahk-oh) is the animal most likely to have been chosen for domestication by early South Americans. About 3.5 feet tall at the shoulder, guanacos weigh about 200 pounds and are double coated, which means they have a coarse outer hair and soft undercoat. They are light brown with white underbelly and have a gray face and small straight ears.

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