How to Tell the Difference Between a Llama and an Alpaca

Telling the difference between a llama and an alpaca is easy -- yet, as the owner of both animals, I am constantly asked what the difference is.
Although they are both in the camelid family, llamas and alpacas are completely different animals -- with different appearances, behaviors, and personalities. Learn how to tell them apart at a glance.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. 
    
   These are alpacas. Not baby llamas.

   SIZE
   
   Alpacas are much smaller than llamas. The most common mistake you'll hear is people pointing at an alpaca and crying, "Look! It's a baby llama!"
   Nope. That's an alpaca, and that's as big as he'll get.
   A full-grown llama is around 6 feet tall, measuring to the top of the head, and can weigh up to 450 pounds. A full-grown alpaca usually reaches 4-5 feet at the top of the head, and can weigh up to 200 pounds.

2. 
    
   This is a llama. See the banana-shaped ears?

   EARS
   
   Ears are an easy way to tell the difference. Alpacas have relatively small, straight ears. Llamas, on the other hand, have long, "banana-shaped" ears -- meaning, they curve inward, toward each other.

3. 
    
   This is an alpaca. Look at that fuzzy face!

   FACE
   
   Although this can vary, lamas usually have very little hair on their head and face. Alpacas, on the other hand, have a large tuft of hair on the top of their head that falls into their eyes.
   
   From the side, llamas generally have a longer face. Alpacas have a shorter, more "smushed" appearance.

4. 
    
   These are llamas. Notice the stockier build and the sparser hair.

   HAIR
   
   Alpaca hair, known as fiber, is much finer and softer than llama fiber. It looks a bit like sheep wool. Alpaca fiber has very little guard hairs (the rough, outer coat found on many animals) -- because of this, it is easier to spin.
   Llamas, on the other hand, usually have rougher, coarser coats, with shorter fiber.
   
   While alpacas can come in a variety of colors, they are usually white or brown. Llamas, on the other hand, can be black, brown, red, white, grey, or even spotted.

5. 
    
   Alpacas are known for their soft fiber

   USE
   
   Llamas are sometimes called "ships of the Andes", because they are traditionally used for manual labor, like packing and cart-pulling. Alpacas, on the other hand, are called "sheep of the Andes" -- they may not be big enough to pull carts, but they are great for their soft, wooly fiber.

6. 
    
   Happy and Taj, a couple of llamas hanging out in the pasture.

   PERSONALITY AND TEMPERAMENT
   
   You will get varying opinions on this one. Llama owners swear llamas are better; alpacas swear alpacas are better. Some people say there is no difference as far as personality goes.
   
   As an owner of both, my opinion is this: While both animals are very kind, intelligent, curious, and gentle, alpacas generally tend to be more skittish. I have found llamas to be mellower and generally easier to bond with -- they tend to become more of a "pet". The alpacas I have owned and worked with tend to be shyer and more reluctant to showing affection. This is, however, an observation and not a rule. I have also known loving alpacas, and shy llamas. It all depends on the animal and the owner.

7. 
    
   In the front, Taj -- a llama who looks a lot like an alpaca. In the back, Cinqo, a real alpaca.

   EXCEPTIONS
   
   Unfortunately, there are exceptions to every rule. The truth is, some llamas do look rather alpaca-like... and some alpacas look quite a bit like llamas. To the trained eye, there is never any doubt -- however, to a newcomer it can be hard to tell the difference. If you aren't sure, just ask! We don't get mad if you ask. We do, however, get a bit annoyed when well-meaning people shout, "Look! It's an alpaca!" at our dear little llamas. After all, wouldn't you get annoyed if someone called your dog a cat?

[jestofo]

on 10/18/2009 This is a great article. If anyone's looking for further information on this topic there's another good article here: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2278285/the_difference_between_llamas_alpacas.html?cat=53