Have you ever seen an alpaca? Alpacas are domesticated mammals from the camel family. They are native to South America and have been a central part of Peruvian culture for thousands of years, especially in the highlands of the Andes, or the mountain range where I live. In fact, in the Incan times, robes made from alpaca wool were saved especially for royalty. Even to this day, alpacas are cherished by the Peruvian people and play an important role in business, art, and festivals across diverse communities.
Alpacas are animals with slender bodies, a long neck, and four long legs. They have short tails, small heads and long pointed ears. Best of all, they are super warm and fluffy! Their fluffy, furry appearance gives them a very cute and lovable look. Their shaggy coats come in a couple different colors. They can be black or brown, white or even a pale yellow or tan color. Alpacas are often confused with llamas. They are similar but have a few distinct differences. Alpacas are smaller and rounder than llamas and keep their tails close to their bodies. Llamas have bigger, banana shaped ears and boxier faces. Can you spot the difference between the two?
