Although part of the same camelid family, the difference between the llama and the alpaca is quite marked. To the South American, the utilitarian llama is the equivalent of a horse, whilst the fibre producing alpaca equals a sheep. Size is the most obvious difference. An alpaca weighs about 70kg whereas generally, a llama weighs more than double that. But the difference between the animals is distinguished by more than size alone.
Llamas are individuals, with characters which differ as much as that of any human.
The llama is squarer with a regal stance and distinctive long banana shaped ears. Modified ruminants, llamas have three-compartmented stomachs, and like sheep and cattle, chew their cud. Their protein requirement is low and their digestive system efficient, so generally they eat most types of pasture and hay. They cost less to feed than many other animals of comparable size. Most llamas live into their late teens or early twenties although some have survived up to thirty years.