The alpaca has been quite popular for several years in China, and has been made into various emojis by Chinese citizens. However, many people cannot tell alpacas apart from llamas. In Chinese, their names are even more confusing: "Yang Tuo" ("sheep camel") refers to alpacas. and Tuo Yang ("camel sheep") refers to llamas.
Who are we? /VCG Photo
How do you differentiate the two? Let's find the difference!
The two animals do look similar. Both have curly hair, and are both from South America. One quick way to tell them apart is taking a closer look at their faces and ears.
The alpaca has shorter ears and a shorter face, like a sheep.
Shorter ears, shorter face, more hair — alpaca! /VCG Photo
The llama has banana-shaped, slightly curvy, long ears and a longer face, like a horse. And the llama generally does not have as much hair on the head and face as the alpaca does.
Also, the llama is usually larger than the alpaca. A full-grown llama can reach a shoulder height of 120 centimeters, and weighs between 130 and 200 kilograms. An alpaca is generally smaller at between 81–99 centimeters in height and weighs between 48 and 84 kilograms.
The llama is usually larger, heavier and taller. /VCG Photo
Due to their different sizes, the two similar mammals fulfill different purposes. For more than 5,000 years alpacas have been bred for fiber and meat. The alpaca fleece is also much finer, thicker, warmer and has more colors. Llamas, on the other hand, have been bred to carry things and for meat, because they are larger and stronger.
The alpaca has a better temper. /VCG Photo
Generally speaking, the alpaca is gentler, more timid, and easier to be trained than the llama. You may want to pet an alpaca rather than a llama on the ranch. But be careful, when angry, they both spit!
(Cover image via VCG)
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