Alpaca vs Llama: What's the Difference?

Alpacas and llamas may look alike, but they have distinct differences. These South American camelid cousins share a similar appearance with their luxurious coats and charming faces, but their size, purpose, fiber quality, and temperament set them apart. Exploring the fascinating world of llamas and alpacas reveals an intriguing journey of contrasting traits.

SIZE:

The difference in size is the most noticeable difference between alpacas and llamas.

Alpacas are the smaller animals here. They typically measure around 90 cm high at the shoulders.

Llamas are bigger than alpacas in size. In fact, they are the biggest species of the genus Lama. They are generally about 120 cm at the shoulders.

WEIGHT:

Alpacas are the lighter of the two animals. They weigh anywhere between 55 to 65 kg.

Llamas are heavier and weigh almost double the alpacas. They generally weigh around 100 kg but the biggest adults can reach a weight of around 200 kg.

FACE:

While the faces of alpacas and llamas might look like same but upon a closer look, the slight differences between their faces become obvious.

Alpacas have small, blunt faces with short and pointed ears. They have a significant amount of hair on their face.

A closeup of the face of a llama.// Rafael Saldaña/Flickr

Llamas, on the other hand, have a relatively elongated face with long, banana-like ears.

and do not have much hair on their face.

FIBER:

The fiber of alpacas and llamas differ in diameter, texture, and use.

Alpacas have fine, soft, and shaggy hair usually between 18-30 microns. The wool of alpaca is best suited for fleece production and making soft fabrics. Alpaca fleece is water and flame resistant.

Llama fiber is 20-40 micrometers in diameter. Llamas have two types of hair: outer guard hair and inner undercoat. The guard hair is coarse and is used to make rugs, wall hangings, and ropes. The undercoat is fine and is used for making handicrafts and garments.

Alpaca fiber is preferred over llama fiber to make soft garments as it is softer.

COLOR:

Alpacas come in a wide range of coat colors. They have over 22 color combinations including white, black, brown, and gray.

The coat of llamas can be solid, patterned, or spotted and can include colors like grey, beige, brown, red, etc.

PURPOSE:

Alpacas were bred for their fiber which is used for making knitted and woven items such as blankets, sweaters, hats, gloves, ponchos, socks, coats, etc.

A guard llama with a flock of sheep.// Paul Keleher from Mass, US, photoshopped by Zanaq, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Llamas, unlike their alpaca cousins, were bred as guard and pack animals. Llamas are used to guard herd animals such as sheep, goats, etc. When encountered with danger, they alert others by making noises, can kick, stomp and even chase the danger away if not outnumbered.