What are the differences between llamas and alpacas? There are many similarities and several differences between the two closely related species. They are so close in fact that they can interbreed and produce a fully reproductive offspring.. Llamas are larger than alpacas, have flat backs, and banana shaped ears. Llamas and alpacas differ in wool production too. In general, alpacas produce more wool per animal than llamas, although some llamas, such as the Argentines, are known to produce a much denser fleece more closely related to alpaca density. Alpaca fiber has a lot of crimp and is known to be coveted for its use in clothing. Both llamas and alpacas can produce suri fiber, a type of wool that is pencil-locked to the skin. Although llamas were not originally bred for wool production, through selective breedings (artificial selection), the llamas in North America have a soft single fleece type coat that is free of guard hair and is used to make garments and used in textiles. Llamas have some uses that alpacas do not have. In addition to fiber usage, llamas can be used for guarding livestock, including alpacas. Llamas can be used for cart driving, and they can carry equipment on trekking adventures or be a golf caddy. Llamas can learn an obstacle course and can participate in a parade. Some people have even used llamas as jogging partners. Because llamas are intelligent, they can be used for all sorts of activities. Another big current difference between llamas and alpacas is the affordability of llamas. While high quality alpacas can cost $20,000 - $50,000 each, a high quality llama is a fraction of that price. The elite end of the llamas price range varies but most fall in between $5000 - $20,000. Nice quality llamas are still found in the $2000 - $5000 range as well. There is a far less need to finance in the llama industry compared to other livestock industries.

Here are some things that are NOT TRUE about llamas that you might have read on the internet:

• "Llamas spit at people" - Just like alpacas, llamas do spit. The vast majority of llamas will not deliberately spit at a person unless the llama was abused in the past or has been teased while living at a zoo or similar environment. Sometimes, llamas spit at other llamas to settle disputes and people can accidentally get hit if they are not careful to stay out of the way. Just visit a llama farm near you and you will see that it is (mostly) a myth.
• "Llamas kick people" - This one also needs to be put into perspective. A llama will not just start kicking you. As with working with alpacas or any livestock such as horses, the animals can kick. Most of the time, you will NOT get kicked, so it is no different than working with any other livestock, except that is happens less often with llamas.
• "The llama market crashed and is dead" - Actually, the llama market has endured a lot and remains an active industry. In the 1970's, llamas were scarce and very pricey, but 30 years later, the llama market is still thriving as new farms become established. Newcomers are joining all the time, and since llamas are more affordable than other livestock, new owners can get more high quality llamas to start. The llama market is still young and most do not know about it. This is why we created this website - so people know they do have options. The alpaca market on the other hand has been largely marketed both on television and on the internet. These marketing campaigns have resulted in tremendous growth in the number of alpaca owners and in the number of alpaca breeders. Over time we can expect the alpaca market to fall under "Supply and Demand" rules. Because llamas have multiple uses compared to alpacas, there will always be several markets for selling llamas.
• "Llama wool is coarse and not good for much" - Most of the llamas being bred in the United States and Canada are single-fleece llamas, meaning they have little to no guard hair, a coarse hair. Most people are surprised to find out how soft llama wool actually is.

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