Camels in the Andes?

The Guanaco
A Resilient and Tenacious Beauty

It might seem that such a beautiful creature of delicate features would need pampering. But guanacos are usually seen in the harshest of lands, from the high Andes to Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego, in southern Argentina and Chile. In such inhospitable territory, the guanaco eats stems and roots and drinks the water, even if it is of poor quality. The guanaco can swim well and can run at speeds of 40 miles [65 km] an hour. Thick eyelashes provide protection from wind, sun, and dust. Sadly, poachers have avidly hunted the guanaco for its meat, its pelt, and its wool, which is finer than that of the alpaca.

The Alpaca
Bundled Up in Warm Clothing

In a land where cold temperatures prevail and can fluctuate 90 degrees Fahrenheit [50 degrees Celsius] in one day, the alpaca is endowed with a thick, shaggy full-length wool sweater. The soft wool of the alpaca is stronger than sheep's wool. Although a pointed snout enables the alpaca to reach the blades of Andean grass that grow in narrow crevices between rocks, these cuddly animals prefer swampy areas, which provide tender shoots. However, like other lamoids, they can last many days without water.

The Vicuña
Luxuriously Clothed

Although the vicuña lives in the high Andes where near-freezing temperatures prevail, it is comfortably dressed in a short, lightweight coat of what is considered to be the finest animal fiber on earth. Its outfit has a tuft of wool at the front of its chest, which serves as a scarf. An adult vicuña may yield less than two pounds [1 kg] of fleece every two years, so this luxurious fiber is scarce—and expensive. One yard of fine vicuña fabric can cost more than $3,000.

Under the Inca Empire, laws were made to protect the vicuña. A shearing festival, known as chaccu, was established, and only the royalty had the privilege of wearing garments made with vicuña fiber. The chaccu festival has been reinstated in recent years, and once again laws have been enacted to protect this species from poachers.

As an important part of this festival, wild vicuñas are caught in large funnellike traps 1,000 feet [300 m] wide at the opening. After this the vicuñas are sheared and promptly released.

The Llama
Workhorse of the Andes

It is neither as strong as an ass nor as fast as a horse. Still, the llama outshines them both as a valuable pack animal. Indeed, it can carry up to 130 pounds [60 kg] on its back. If it feels that its load is too heavy, the llama will simply sit and won't budge until the load is lightened to its liking. If you try to coerce it, the llama may regurgitate food from the first of its three stomachs and spit it out with amazing precision and force.

Yet, llamas are generally docile, and a gentle handler can guide a long train of llamas through inhospitable high plateaus where other pack animals cannot endure the lack of oxygen. The llamas' capability in mountainous terrain has led to their now being used as pack animals not only in the Andes but also in the Italian Alps. The llama's rope, harness, and blanket may be made from its own wool.