Vicuña Endangered but Recovering Species Height: Just under 3 ft at withers Weight: 77 - 143 lbs Lifespan: 15 - 20 yrs Breeding Season: Mar - Apr Gestation: 330 - 350 days Births: Single birth Natural Habitat: Cold, puna, bofadeles, borders and/or overlaps that of the guanaco in the foothills of the cordillera at lower altitudes. Distinctive Features: Smallest of the camelids, slender body, relatively long neck. Ears are long, pointed and narrow. Head is round and yellowish to red-brown in color. Finest fleece of camelid family. Sexually mature: F = 2 yrs M = 1 yr

Guanaco Height: 3.5 - 4 ft at withers, 5 ft at head Weight: Maximum of 260 lbs Life Span: 20 - 25 yrs Breeding Season: Nov - Mar Gestation: 345 - 360 days Births: Single birth Natural habitat: High Andes Mountains, altitudes to 13,000 ft as well as lower plateaus, plains and coastlines of Peru, Chile and Argentina. Occupy lands that tend to be very dry. Now protected by law Distinctive Features: Slender, pale brown back, white underside, short tail, large head, very long neck, big pointed ears. Sexual Maturity: F = 2 yrs M = 1 yr

Alpaca - Suri Height: 3 ft at withers Weight: 100 - 175 lbs Life Span: 15 - 20 yrs Breeding Season: Induced ovulators, generally Apr - June Gestation: 340 days Births: Single birth, twins are extremely rare Natural habitat: High plains of the Andes Mountains of South America Distinctive Features: 22 colors, fiber grows quite long and forms silky, lustrous hanging locks Sexual maturity: F = 1.5 to 2.0 yrs. M = 2.5 - 3 yrs

Alpaca - Huacaya Height: 3 ft at withers Weight: 100 - 175 lbs Life Span: 15 - 20 yrs Breeding Season: Induced ovulators, generally Apr -June Gestation: 340 days Births: Single birth, twins are extremely rare Natural habitat: High plains of the Andes Mountains of South America Distinctive Features: 22 colors -shorter and denser than suri, crimpy fleece Sexual maturity: F = 1.5 to 2 yrs. M = 2.5 - 3 yrs

Llama - Ccara Height: 4 - 7 ft tall at head, 3.5 - 4 ft at withers Weight: 220 - 500 lbs Lifespan: 15 - 20 yrs Breeding Season: Aug -Sept Gestation: 344 days Births: Single birth, rarely twins Native Habitat: Andean highlands, especially the Altiplano of s.e. Peru and w. Bolivia Distinctive Features: Preferred packer. Distinctly double-coated, abundant guard hair over the entire body, underwool molts seasonally and is easily combed out. Trim, almost uniform width. Not shorn as they shed. Sexually mature: F = 1 to 2 yrs M = 2.5 - 3 yrs

Llama - Lanuda Distinctive Features: Long full coat, slightly shorter legs and rounder body, usually shorn, can yield up to 15 lbs of fiber. Sexually mature: F = 1 - 2 yrs M = 2.5 - 3 yrs

Llama - Suri Rarest of all the Llamas Distinctive Features: Fiber grows quite long and forms lustrous hanging locks like a suri alpaca Sexually mature: F = 1 - 2 yrs M = 2.5 - 3 yrs

Camel - Bactrian Critically Endangered Height: 7 ft at hump Weight: 1,600 to 2,000 lbs Life Span (in captivity): 20 - 30 yrs Breeding Season: In the fall Gestation: 390 - 410 days Births: Single live birth. Females can give birth bi-yearly Native Habitat: Desert of northwest China and Mongolia, many in a remote, harsh area that was a nuclear test range. Distinctive Features: A thick shaggy dark brown to beige coat during cold weather which is later shed. Double row of eyelashes, bushy brows and ability to close nostrils and lips tightly protect it from blowing sand. Can consume 114 liters of water in ten minutes. Water is not stored in the hump. Declared Critically Endangered in October 2002 Sexual maturity: M/F = 3 - 5 yrs

Camel - Dromedary Height: 6.25 - 7.5 ft at the hump Weight: 1,000 - 1,450 lbs Lifespan: 40 - 50 yrs Breeding Season: During the winter, or rainy season Gestation: 370 - 440 days Births: Single live birth once every 2 yrs. Twins are rare Native habitat: Middle East and northern Africa Distinctive Features: Can go for long periods without water resulting in loss of weight and strength. Can consume as much as 30 gallons. Does not store water in the hump. Can close their slit nostrils to keep out blowing sand. Double rows of eyelashes protect eyes from sun and blowing sand. Sexual maturity: F = 3 - 4 yrs M = 6 yrs

All of the species noted here are capable of interbreeding and producing live offspring. This occasionally occurs in the wild and sometimes accidentally in captivity. Camelid pedigree registries help safeguard the “pure-bred” distinction of these animals by requiring dna parent verification before certification.