What’s the difference between llamas and alpacas?

Llamas are larger than alpacas with long ‘banana’ ears, faces and noses, whereas alpacas have small pointy ears and more ‘pug-like’ faces. Experienced camelid handlers who are used to both animals frequently describe alpacas as being more skittish than llamas. Alpacas have generally been bred to look nice in a field and get sheared once a year for their fibre. Llamas on the other hand have been bred to carry loads next to a human, and therefore are genetically much more predisposed to tolerate humans and dare we say even enjoying the company of humans.

It is often also noted that since llamas are larger than alpacas (and more capable of defending themselves as a result), they are calmer, as they do not see every moving thing as a potential predator. A dog can run up to an alpaca and it will flee in terror. A dog can run up to a llama, and then swiftly run away again once it realises how big it is (or potentially get booted in the face if it gets too close!)

Llamas are much more independently minded and are more likely to wander up to something new out of curiosity than to flee in terror. The fleece (fibre) can be sheered and spun / woven from both animals. Once you are familiar with the two species, the differences are obvious. For many though (particularly on the internet!) – it can be quite confusing to distinguish between the two.

Llama vs alpaca

In these images, the llamas are on the left, and the alpacas are on the right. In Britain, it can be quite common to see alpacas grazing away in a field. Llamas on the other hand, are much rarer.