Do You Want to See a Cute Alpaca?

Cute Alpaca or Cute Llama?

While traveling in Peru spotting llamas and alpacas will be as common as seeing a dog or cat. They are used for everything. Some will be used for work, others will be used to save parking spots, and some are even used for dinner. I did not know this at first when I arrived so when I went to the restaurant later and saw them on the menu I was a bit surprised, to say the least. 😆 

Are Alpacas or Llamas better? 

What are the common differences between Llamas and Alpacas? Can you spot the main differences between a llama and an alpaca? After reading this article I hope you can.

• A good place to start with the difference between alpacas and llamas is with their ears. Llamas have some cucumber/squash/corn like ears whereas alpacas have much smaller and cute ears.
• Llamas have the horse-like and longer face where the alpacas have the squished in the face more like a cute little pug puppy. It sounds like alpacas are just cuter.
• Llamas are also bigger than alpacas, weighing up to 400 pounds. Llamas are used more as pack carrying animals on backcountry trips since they can carry heavier loads.
• Alpacas only get to about 175 pounds, therefore, they can’t handle the travel loads llamas can. 

A cute alpaca might not be as useful as a seasoned llama

Llamas and Alpacas are used for all kinds of duties throughout Peru and the menu is no exception. Could you eat one of these adorable creatures? Some people see them on menus before they see them in person and are a little thrown off. This is just a way of life down in Peru. I will not confirm nor deny trying either of these amazing animals 🙂

If you have a real deep desire and a need to learn more you then are in luck because you can at the “Awanakancha,” which is a breeding center for llamas, alpacas, and much more. You can hold wool from both llamas and alpacas. You can also find shops along just about any road that will allow you to hold the wool of both if they think you are going to buy. Do your research before buying anything unless you want to be ripped off. Everyone is trying to make a living and that is just a fact of life. If you don’t do the research and pay more than needed the blame falls on you.

Ancient history

The llamas were viewed as very sacred animals back in the early Inca times. There are pictures and many paintings that show these animals were apart of religious ceremonies and even used to be sacrificed to the god of the sun. These animals have been around for a very long time and I think they will continue to be highly involved with the Peruvian culture.

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