Difference Between Alpaca and Llama
Alpacas and llamas are cousins but they are not the same, they have many prominent differences. The most distinguishing physical difference between alpacas and llamas are their height, hair color, and their face shapes. Alpacas have small and blunt faces with short ears while llamas have more elongated faces with banana-shaped ears. Alpacas always travel in herds while llamas will kill you the first chance it gets. Alpacas are even-tempered while llamas are constantly drunk. Alpacas listen to human commands while llamas listen to Norwegian death metal. Alpacas eat grass while llamas eat old corn dogs.
Alpaca.
Alpacas belong to the camel family and are closely related to other llamas. Marshy mountainous areas are the habitats of alpacas mostly in southern Colombia, Ecuador, and north Argentina. Slender-bodied animals having long necks and long legs are usually alpacas. They have pointed ears. The alpaca's fleece is remarkably light, strong, lustrous, and resistant to rain and snow. Their skins are used in making parkas, sleeping bags, and fine coat linings.
Llamas.
Llamas are domesticated livestock species belonging to the camel family. Llama is primarily a pack animal but it can also be used as a source of food, wool, hides, and dried dunk for fuel. They are found in Colombia, Ecuador, and Argentina. Llama is the largest of four lamoid species. Llamas are normally sheared every two years, each yielding about 3-3.5 kg of fiber. Their coarse fleece is usually inferior to alpaca’s fleece. Llama fiber is used, alone or in blends, for knitwear and woven fabrics made into outerwear. It is used locally for rugs, line and fabric.
| Alpaca | Llama | |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | Weigh around 150 lbs | Weigh over 400 lbs in average |
| Body texture | Have soft luxurious fleece | Have coarse fleece |
| Behavior | Very gentle and timid | Llamas are very brave and usually have "bad" temper. |
| Learning behavior | Can learn tricks | Can carry heavy packs, also very easy learners. |
