Alpacas and Llamas

[deckardcanine]

Alpacas and llamas, both Andean camelids,
May seem alike to most foreigners’ eyes.
Distinction’s not hard once you know what to look for.
For instance, the llama’s much greater in size,
Perhaps a foot taller and double the weight,
And it also has longer, banana-shaped ears.
Its muzzle is longer, not blunt or “smooshed in.”
The alpaca has ears that are shaped more like spears.
While llamas were bred over five thousand years
To move packs across mountains and also to eat,
Alpacas were bred for the same five millennia
Mostly for wool and Peruvian meat.
It therefore makes sense that alpacas have fleeces
Much fluffier, finer, more varied in hues,
And llamas don’t have as much hair on their faces
And heads as alpacas; there’s not as much use.
The llamas show more independent behavior.
It’s clear for alpacas a group is preferred.
Since llamas don’t spook quite as easily, often
They’ll stand by alpacas as guards for the herd.
My sources agree these are all the main differences;
Now you should know how to tell which is which.
There’s also vicuñas as well as guanacos,
But those won’t come up in a typical sitch.