Llamas are a staple of Peru – walk into any tourist or artisan shop and you’ll spot llama souvenirs in every form from colorful keychains and paintings to llama wool sweaters. They’re everywhere! This is because they are intertwined with the Andean lifestyle. They date back to the pre-Incas, when they were used to transport goods across the rough terrain and to fertilize agricultural fields. While there is a plethora of biodiversity in Peru due to its wide variety of biomes, I chose to spotlight llamas due to their symbolism of Andean heritage, cultural significance and their fuzzy faces.
Llamas are like sheep with pointy ears, long lashes and thick, fluffy fur, except that they have long spindly legs and the added flair of fur coating their head. Their fur can range from creamy white to deep browns, black or speckled. They’re usually about five to six feet tall and emit the earthy smell of hay.
