Livestock
Alpaca
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The alpaca is a domesticated South American camelid raised chiefly for its fine fiber, used for knitted and woven items much as sheep's wool is. Genetic analysis shows it descends from the wild vicuna rather than the guanaco, the llama's ancestor, distinguishing the two Andean domesticates despite their close resemblance; it was domesticated in the Andes of southern Peru, western Bolivia, Ecuador and northern Chile, with mummified alpaca remains from the Moquegua valley dated to roughly 900 to 1,000 years old. Historically it was also raised for meat and art, and today serves as well as a livestock guardian and therapy animal.
Facts
Scientific NameLama pacos (also classified as Vicugna pacos) 1 Domestication RegionAndes of southern Peru, western Bolivia, Ecuador and northern Chile 1 Domesticated When (Circa)Thousands of years ago; mummified remains from the Moquegua valley dated to circa 900 to 1,000 years old 1 The source states domestication occurred thousands of years ago and separately dates mummified remains from the Moquegua valley to 900-1000 years old; the mummies confirm a floor, not the original domestication date. Primary UsesFiber for textiles; historically also meat and art; today also livestock guardian and therapy animal 1 Cross-Tradition Connections
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