guanaco

Description:

The guanaco (Lama guanicoe) is a camelid native to South America that stands between 107 and 122 cm (3.5 and 4 feet) at the shoulder and weighs about 90 kg (200 lb). The colour varies very little (unlike the domestic llama), ranging from a light brown to dark cinnamon and shading to white underneath. Guanacos have grey faces and small straight ears. They are very striking with their large, alert brown eyes, streamlined form, and energetic pace. The name guanaco comes from the South American language Quechua word wanaku (old spelling, huanaco). Young guanacos are called chulengo(s).

Habitat:

The guanaco is native to the arid, mountainous regions of South America. Guanaco are found in the altiplano of Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, Colombia, Chile and Argentina. In Chile and Argentina, they are more numerous in Patagonian regions, in places like the Torres del Paine National Park, and Isla Grande de Tierra del Fuego. In these areas, they have more robust populations, since there are limitations on grazing competition from livestock

Notes:

If llamas are annoyed, they spit on the troublemakers. They show an amazing accuracy. Normally people are not victims of such attacks. Especially among the llamas spit to illustrate the hierarchy or keep importunate fellows at a distance. Saliva is spit only warning. Is mostly semi-digested stomach contents spewed out, this was only in small quantities. The semi-liquid, greenish mass is smelly, but otherwise harmless and easily washable