Day 1

Taxonomy

• Kingdom: Animalia

• Phylum: Chordata

• Class: Mammalia

• Family: Camelidae

• Order: Artiodactyla

• Genus: Lama

• Species: Lama pacos

Evolution

• Subspecies: Huacaya and Suri

• Created through selective breeding about 6,000 years ago

• Vicuñas are the most closely related living animal to the alpaca

• Ancestors: Llama, Vicuña, Guanaco

Description

• Slender body with long necks and legs, small heads and large, painted ears. Covered in a soft fleece that occurs in a variety of colors. They have soft, padded feet. 

• Key characteristics include their soft fleece covering, pointed ears, and small head. They weigh between 110 and 190 pounds and are about 3 feet tall at the highest part of their back. 

• Average life span is 15-20 years

• Adult males tend to be larger and more muscular than females. They have broader chests and thicker necks