It has a smaller and more curvacious shape than the llama and, in the front, it has a classic tuft of hair, but cannot be differentiated by its color as there are many tones. It exists in two races: the huacaya and the suri, differentiated by the type of wool (the wool from huacaya is opaque, curly and spongy, while the other is limp, silky and glossy). Its color varies between brown, black, gray and white, and it can reach a height of 1.50 mts. (5ft) with a weight as much as 64 kg. (140lbs). Unlike the llama, this animal is not used as a load animal. However, it is valued by its wool, from which blankets and native ponchos are made. It has been domesticated since thousands of years and it is common for the indigenous people of the highlands of Peru and Chile to keep them in herds.

Family: Camelidae

Distribution: In Chile it is split up between the regions of Antofagasta, Atacama, and Coquimbo.

Habitat: The natural habitat of the alpaca can be found in the Andes, in South America.