Llamas and Alpacas

Abstract

You may have seen internet memes comparing llamas and alpacas (e.g., https://amp.cheezburger.com/9680389/llamas-vs-alpacas-learn-the-difference and https://imgur.com/t/llama/lHoXp). “An alpaca has soft fleece,” one such meme reads, while a llama “has a knife in its fur.” “Llamas are the Devil incarnate,” reads another, while “alpacas are not the Devil incarnate.” While llamas are larger, stronger, and generally more independent than alpacas, it is safe to say that these pack animals are being unfairly, if humorously, maligned. Both llamas and alpacas can be ill-tempered when highly provoked – like other camelids, llamas and alpacas are famous spitters – but they also can be quite docile, even friendly, when raised and handled properly. This column discusses some of the differences between llamas and alpacas, their various uses, and some tips and resources for raising them.