Do you know the difference between llamas vs alpacas? If not, you’re not alone.
These two animals are often confused for one another, but there are actually some key differences between them.
Whereas alpacas and llamas are both part of the camelid family (yes, camels are part of that family too), they differ in many ways. When comparing llamas against alpacas, you’ll see that they differ in the following characteristics:
Llamas vs Alpacas: Comparison Table
| Characteristics | Llamas | Alpacas |
|---|---|---|
|
Size |
42-46 inches |
34-36 inches |
|
Weight |
>400 pounds |
~150 pounds |
|
Ears |
Long & banana-shaped |
Short & spear-shaped |
|
Face |
Long |
Short & blunt |
|
Wool (+color) |
Coarse & multi-colored outer coat |
Soft, luxurious & uni-colored fleece |
|
Purpose |
Used as pack animal |
Used as wool source |
|
Location |
High altitudes in South America |
High altitudes in South America |
|
Character |
Independent & solitary |
Shy & gentle |
|
Lifespan |
~20 years |
15-25 years |
Differences between Llamas vs Alpacas
1. Size
The size disparity between llamas vs alpacas is undoubtedly one of their key characteristics. When comparing llamas vs alpacas, the first thing you’ll notice is that llamas are substantially bigger than alpacas.
These two creatures could clearly be distinguished from one another if they were side by side. How much larger than an alpaca is a llama, though?
Llamas often grow to an average height of 42 to 46 inches, whereas alpacas usually grow to an average height of 34 to 36 inches.
Ulimately, there is no significant difference in size between males and females for either llamas or alpacas.
2. Weight
Even more noticeable is the weight difference between llamas vs alpacas. Llamas usually weigh 280 to 450 pounds (127 to 204 kg). Given that alpacas typically weigh between 48 and 84 kg (106 to 185 pounds), that is a significant weight range.
3. Ears
Comparing the shapes of the ears of llamas and alpacas is another simple method to know whether you are standing in front of a llama or alpaca.
Llama ears are long and curvy. They stand up in a shape that looks like a banana. On the other end, alpacas have shorter, pointy ears. Their fuzziness continues onto their ears, whereas llamas tend to have smoother and straighter fur around their ears.
4. Face
From far away, it is hard to tell the difference between the face of llamas and the face of alpacas. Tough, when taking a closer look, you’ll notice some key differences:
Llamas tend to have longer faces and their snouts are wider and lengthier than the ones of alpacas. Also, llamas tend to have short and thin fur around their face and their large eyes.
On the opposite, alpacas have softer facial features. In fact, they have shorter, rounded faces with a small nose and lots of fluffy fur, especially on their foreheads, which makes them look really cute and adorable. This is also the reason why many people believe alpacas are the cuter of the two.
5. Wool
Another way you can see the difference between llamas and alpacas is by looking at their wool. In fact, there are many different aspects that differentiate llama wool from alpaca wool.
Wool texture
Both llamas and alpacas produce dense wool to protect them from the chilly climate of their natural highland habitat. The fleece of llamas is more coarse and similar to hair in texture to that of alpacas, which is considerably finer, softer, fluffier, and thicker and grows quicker. The majority of alpacas are of the huacaya type, whose crimpy, fluffy fur gives them a teddy bear-like appearance. The more uncommon suri type of alpacas produces longer, shinier fiber. Generally, alpacas also have more hair on their head and face than llamas, whose head looks more like the one from a horse.
The reason why alpaca’s are so famous for their wool is because, unlike sheep’s wool, alpaca fiber is lanolin-free and therefore hypoallergenic, and it is not at all itchy to the touch.
Wool usage
The wool of both, llamas and alpacas, is used to produce fiber. Whereas the coarser llama wool is used for items like rugs, ropes and blankets, the finer and softer alpaca wool is used for clothing such as bedding, sweaters, hats, mitts, socks, scarves, gloves, and jumpers.
Wool length
Also, llama hair is much shorter than the hair of alpacas. While llama fiber is around 18-30 microns, alpaca fiber can often get to around 50-65 microns. An excpetion to this is baby llama fiber, which is only around 30 microns long and made from an alpaca’s first shear. The reason why baby alpaca is perceived to be luxurious is because it is softer and more durable than the later shears. Both, llamas and alpacas are sheared once per year.
Wool color
Alpacas’ wool can range from being white to lighter shades of yellow and brown (they have 22 naturally-occuring wool colors), with their bodies usually covered in a single uniform color of wool. Multicolored alpaca coats are frequently referred to as “fancy” coats. In contrast, llamas usually have distinctive markings and hair in a variety of colors, including white, brown, black, and red. Whereas alpacas have a single coat of soft hair, llamas have two coats: a soft undercoat and a coarse, hard-to-separate topcoat.
7. Purpose
Llama and alpacas differ from one another not just in appearance but also in purpose and historical background.
Since 1000s of years, alpacas are well known for their wool, while llamas are used as pack animals, able to travel up to 20 miles per day with their load.
In addition to these two significant distinctions, llamas are used as guard animals for other herding animals on farms. Alpacas are less likely to take on this function. This is not to imply that alpacas can’t also guard other herding animals, but they are less protective than the typical llama. The natural knowledge of their environment allows guard llamas to patrol their territory in search of potential dangers, such as foxes, coyotes, and dogs. A guard llama will often observe a predator closely, adopt a defensive stance, produce loud noises to frighten it away, and even make an effort to pursue the animal away.
8. Location
Although llamas and alpacas are domestic animals and no longer exist in the wild, both live well in their original South American Andes Mountains habitat (Peru & Bolivia). Though, it is significant to notice that llamas survive in a wider range of environments when comparing them with alpacas. However, both are able to live in rough conditions on cold, dry mountaintops.
Although llamas and alpacas are mostly found in South America, these animals are quickly gaining recognition in other regions of the world, including North America, Australia, and Europe. The fact that llamas make excellent guard animals is one of the key factors contributing to their global distribution.
9. Character
Another difference between llamas and alpacas lies in their character.
While alpacas are the more social and calm pack animals, llamas tend to be the more independent solitary animals.
Because of their cautious nature, llamas are often utilized as security animals for alpacas, which have a propensity to be more shy and anxious. Spitting actions are also considerably more typical among llamas.
Nevertheless, whereas they are very gentle animals both llamas and alpacas will spit when:
- they feel threatened or distressed
- they are competing for food
- they are establishing dominance in the herd
- females are fending off males
These are exactly the situations when spit happens! But they are less common than you think.
Whereas alpacas tend to spit only air, alpacas will regurgitate their stomach contents and spit it out onto their target, which is no pleaseure for anyone involved. Not even for the llama itself because the green mass tastes horribly.
Furthermore, llamas as well as alpacas frequently express themselves loudly and use expressive body language and a range of vocalizations, such as humming.
10. Lifespan
The lifespans of llamas and alpacas are another distinction. Due to their different sizes, the typical llama lives a little longer than the average alpaca. But how different are their lifespans from one another? Let’s look more closely at the numbers.
Llamas often live 20 to 25 years, whereas alpacas live 15 to 20 years, depending on the health and care of the particular animal. This is the typical lifespan for each of these animals in the wild, however farmed llamas and alpacas usually live longer. This is especially true if they are housed in a contented herd and receive lots of love and attention in addition to nutritious food.
Now that you know the differences between llamas vs alpacas, let’s take a look at some fun facts about these funny animals!
Fun Facts about Llamas
- Llamas are relatives of camels
- Llamas are very independent
- Llamas can hum
- Llamas spit up to 10 feet
- Llama poop has almost no odor
- A baby llamas is called "cria"
- Llamas can run up to ~35 mph fast
Fun Facts about Alpacas
- Alpacas are very social
- Alpacas are short and bulky
- Alpacas are NOT small llamas
- Alpacas are clean freaks
- Alpacas are calm animals
- Alpacas love their personal space
- Alpacas can survive anywhere
Frequently Asked Questions
Llamas vs Alpacas: What do they eat?
Wen it comes to food, llamas and alpacas are very similar. Both are herbivores and will eat whatever is available to them, including grasses, shrubs, forbs, and trees.
Generally, a llama’s or alpacas diet should be a mix of the following 4 elements:
- grass & hay
- pellets
- grains & treats
- minerals, vitamins & micronutrients
However, you’ll need to adapt the diet of llamas and alpacas to their age and the environmental conditions.
And make sure to bring enough food for the whole herd. Otherwise you’ll be at great risk of becoming a spitting target!
Happy feeding!
Llamas vs Alpacas: Who spits more often?
Generally speaking, llamas spit more often than alpacas. Though, feeling threatened or irritated is pretty much the only reason why llamas would ever spit at you.
However, alpacas spit as well. They just don’t spit as often as llamas. And if they do it is usually the “less bad” type of spit which is basically only air.
Speaking of spitting types, there are two types of llama and alpaca spit:
- The warning shot (air with a small amount of saliva)
- The ultimate disaster (regurgitated & stinky stomach contents)
Finally, both llamas and alpacas will give clear warning signs before they are going to spit at you. If you are able to recognize these warning signs (which is not hard!) you can easily prevent to get spit on by llamas and alpacas.
Llamas vs Alpacas: Who is more agressive?
Llamas tend to be a bit more agressive than alpacas when threatened. This is because they are more independent and confident as their character is shaped by them serving as guard animals, always aiming to protect their herd.
Nevertheless, both llamas and alpacas are very calm creatures. In fact, they are among the most peaceful animals in the world.
Llamas vs Alpacas: Do they bite?
No, llamas and alpacas do not bite. Similar to cattle, they only have teeth on their bottom jaw and a dental pad on their upper jaw. So even if they would like to, they cannot really bite you.
Can You Ride Alpacas and Llamas?
No, neither llamas nor alpacas are suitable for riding. Though, because of its larger size, llamas are sometimes used as riding companions for children under 50 lbs.
