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The guanaco (/ ɡ w ɑː ˈ n ɑː k oʊ / ghwuah-NAH-koh; Lama guanicoe) is a camelid native to South America, closely related to the llama. Guanacos are one of two wild South American camelids; the other species is the vicuña, which lives at higher elevations.
Mar 21, 2024 · Guanaco, wild South American member of the camel family, Camelidae (order Artiodactyla). The guanaco is closely related to the vicuna (Vicugna vicugna), the alpaca (V. pacos), and the llama (Lama glama), and it is the llama’s wild ancestor. Guanacos are found from Peru south to Argentina and Chile.
Animals Network Team. Guanacos are South American members of the Camelidae, or camel, family. They live throughout the mountain and steppe regions of southern South America. Other members of the camel family include camels, llamas, vicunas, and alpacas. Humans bred wild guanacos to create the domestic llama.
The guanaco (Lama guanicoe) is a camelid native to South America. Described as an elegant animal, with a long, slender neck and fine legs by Charles Darwin, the guanaco is the biggest wild camelid family member in South America and is thought to be the domestic llama's ancestor.
GENUS: Lama. SPECIES: guanicoe. ABOUT. Camels, guanacos, llamas, alpacas, and vicuñas are all members of the camel family. Cool critters: Graceful guanacos are related to camels. Pronounced "gwa NAH ko," they live throughout South America in dry, open country in the mountains or on the plains.
Chulengos can keep up with the herd right away. Guanacos live on land high in the Andes mountains—up to 13,000 feet (3,962 meters) above sea level—as well as on the lower plateaus, plains, and coastlines of Peru, Chile, and Argentina. Guanacos were once over hunted for their thick, warm wool. Now they thrive in areas protected by law.
Discover Wildlife: learn about guanacos, the highly adapted relatives of llamas, and how they survive in harsh environments.
