Llamas vs Alpacas – The 5 Main Differences Explained

Key Points:

• Historically, llamas were used as pack animals for centuries because of their ability to carry gear for up to 20 miles per day. Guard llamas also helped protect other livestock on a farm. While alpacas are also able to protect alpaca herds, they are mainly used for wool and clothing production.
• Llamas are much larger in height and weight than alpacas. The alpaca has a much smaller face and ears than the llama, and sports shaggy, soft wool in a variety of colors like black, brown, white, and tan.
• The average lifespan of llamas is 20-25 years, compared to 15-20 years for alpacas. However, domesticated llamas and alpacas typically live longer lives than those in the wild.

While they may look exceedingly similar upon first glance, there are a number of differences between llamas vs alpacas. While these animals may share similarities in body shape, both have feet instead of hooves, and both are species of South American camelids, llamas and alpacas are actually two very different animals.

In this article, we will compare and contrast everything you need to know about llamas and alpacas so you can fully understand the differences between them. We will address their appearances and their temperaments, as well as the purpose of both of these unique creatures. Let’s get started and learn all about these herd animals now!

Comparing Llamas vs Alpacas

©A-Z-Animals.com

Llamas	Alpacas
Size	40-50 inches tall; 175-250 pounds	30-35 inches tall; 120-145 pounds
Appearance	Elongated nose or snout and large ears. Coarse wool found in a variety of colors, including white, gray, brown, and tan. Long legs and large eyes.	Small face and short ears, with shaggy, soft wool used frequently in fleece or fabric production. Found in a variety of colors, including black, brown, white, and tan. Shorter legs and petite nose.
Purpose and History	Used as pack animals for centuries, capable of carrying gear for up to 20 miles per day. Helpful for protecting other livestock on a farm as well	Used for wool and clothing production as well as protection for other farm animals. However, alpacas are only good at protecting when in a herd of other alpacas, rather than alone
Behavior	Calm and patient, though can get aggressive if mistreated or unhappy. Prefers a small herd	Very friendly and good with kids; extremely social creatures and do best when the whole herd is happy. Can spit if threatened
Lifespan	20-25 years	15-20 years

Key Differences Between Llamas vs Alpacas

©Cezary Wojtkowski/Shutterstock.com

There are a number of key differences between llamas and alpacas. For example, the llama is much larger than the alpaca, in both height and weight. Additionally, the alpaca has a much smaller face and ears compared to the face and ears of the llama. Finally, the llama is primarily used as a pack animal, while the alpaca is primarily used in wool and clothing production.

Let’s discuss all of these differences and more in detail now.

Llamas vs Alpacas: Size

©fotorince/Shutterstock.com

One of the main differences between the alpaca and the llama has to be their sizes. The llama is much larger than the alpaca, in both height and weight. You could easily tell the difference between these two animals if they were standing side by side. But just how much bigger is a llama compared to an alpaca? Let’s take a closer look at the figures now.

On average, llamas reach anywhere from 40 to 50 inches tall, while alpacas only reach 30 to 35 inches tall. In addition, alpacas only weigh 120-145 pounds, while llamas weigh anywhere from 175-250 pounds. This is an important distinction to make, especially if you are hoping to keep either one of these fantastic animals on your home farm!

Llamas vs Alpacas: Appearance

©Noe Besso/Shutterstock.com

While they may look particularly similar upon first glance, there are a number of physical differences between an alpaca and a llama. For example, llamas have much larger ears compared to the ears of the average alpaca. In addition, the alpaca has a much more petite nose and face compared to the elongated nose of the llama.

Both of these animals have unique wool on their bodies, found in a variety of colors. However, the fur of the alpaca is much finer and smooth compared to the fur of the average llama. This type of fur leads us to talk about the purpose and history of both the alpaca and the llama. Let’s talk about that now.

Llamas vs Alpacas: Purpose and History

©murbansky/Shutterstock.com

In addition to their physical differences, there are a number of differences in both the purpose and the history behind the llama and alpaca. For example, the llama is a notorious pack animal, capable of carrying gear up to 20 miles per day, while the alpaca is renowned for its wool and fur.

Besides these two key differences, llamas are also utilized as guard animals for other herding animals in a farm setting, while alpacas are less likely to assume this role. This isn’t to say that alpacas can’t also protect other herding animals in this setting, but they are less protective compared to the average llama.

Guard llamas have an instinctive awareness of their surroundings, and even patrol their area for threats, including predators like foxes, coyotes and dogs. When a predator approaches, a guard llama will typically watch it intently, posture, make shrill noises to try and scare it off, and even attempt to chase the animal away.

Llamas vs Alpacas: Behavior

©Joy Brown/Shutterstock.com

The temperaments and behaviors of both llamas and alpacas are extremely similar to one another. However, llamas tend to be more aggressive compared to the average alpaca, though both of these animals will spit if they feel threatened. In addition, alpacas enjoy living in a happy herd, while llamas do as well, but not to the same extent as alpacas.

Llamas vs Alpacas: Lifespan

©SakSa/Shutterstock.com

A final difference between llamas and alpacas lies in their lifespans. The average llama lives a slightly longer life compared to the average alpaca, likely due to their size differences. But just how different are their lifespans compared to the other? Let’s take a closer look at the figures now.

Depending on the health and care of the individual animal, llamas live an average of 20 to 25 years, while alpacas live an average of 15 to 20 years. However, this is the average that both of these creatures live when found in the wild, and many domesticated llamas and alpacas live longer than this. This is especially true if they are kept in a happy herd, and given a well-balanced diet alongside plenty of affection and care!

Up Next…

• What Do Llamas Eat? 11 Common Foods in Their Diet Learn more about llamas in this article examining 11 foods that make up the majority of their diet.
• Why Do Camels Have Humps? Did you think that camels store water in their humps? Find out the truth of why camels have humps, including what they’re storing in them.
• Meet the Biggest Horses in the World Do you assume that Clydesdales are the biggest horses in the world? While they hold first place, they are part of our list of largest horses in the world.

More from A-Z Animals

The Featured Image

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Is a llama the same thing as an alpaca?

No. Although they are very similar, they are not the same animal. The scientific name for the llama is the llama glama, and the alpaca is the Vicugna pacos.

What’s the difference between a llama and an alpaca?

Llamas are larger and more solitary. Alpacas have better wool and like to stick together.

Are llamas or alpacas nicer?

Generally speaking, alpacas tend to have a gentler disposition, but either will spit when provoked or threatened.

Are llamas or alpacas more aggressive?

Llamas are often more aggressive because they are very protective of other animals.

Do alpacas and llamas have different feet?

Not really, no. Both llamas and alpacas have two-toed feet with soft pads on the bottom, rather than split hooves like goats or many ungulates.

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us? Contact the AZ Animals editorial team.