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Quick answer
The guanaco (Lama guanicoe) is the wild South American camelid ancestor of the domestic llama, roaming Patagonian steppe and Andes from Peru to Tierra del Fuego. Adults weigh around 100 kg, browse grasses and shrubs, and are listed Least Concern, though fencing and competition with sheep reduce some herds.
Top questions about the Guanaco
Guanaco facts at a glance
- Weight 100 kg
- Length 2 m
- Top speed 55 km/h
- Lifespan 20 years
| Scientific name | Lama guanicoe |
|---|---|
| Diet | Herbivore |
| Habitat | Steppe, scrub, and mountain grasslands |
| Lifespan | Around 20 years in the wild (varies by population and captivity). |
| Weight | About 100 kg typical adult mass (sex and region vary). |
| Top speed | Up to roughly 55 km/h when moving at speed. |
| Conservation status | Least Concern (IUCN) |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Mammalia |
| Order | Artiodactyla |
| Family | Camelidae |
| Genus | Lama |
Where it lives
The guanaco (Lama guanicoe) is native to Patagonia and the Andes from Peru to Tierra del Fuego. — recorded across South America in this guide’s range summary.
For occurrence records, see GBIF species search and sources below.
How big is a guanaco?
An adult guanaco measures 2 m long — about 1.2× the height of an average adult person (1.73 m) — and weighs around 100 kg, about 1.4× an average adult’s body weight (70 kg).
Length vs an average adult’s height (to scale)
What is a group of guanacos called?
Group name (collective noun)
A group of Guanacos is called a herd.
Baby name
A baby Guanaco is called a cria.
Explore more animal collective nouns and baby animal names .
Llama's wild cousin
Slender than llamas, guanacos have a soft double coat and deliver alarm calls that ripple through herds. Males defend family groups; bachelor bands roam separately.
Steppe browser
Diet includes grasses, forbs, and shrub browse across arid steppe and mountain grasslands. They obtain moisture from forage but drink when water is available.
Peru to Tierra del Fuego
Patagonia and the Andes from Peru south to Tierra del Fuego — one of the widest camelid distributions in South America. Across its range it is tied to steppe, scrub, and mountain grasslands, and field accounts emphasise this species’ distinctive ecology rather than generic habitat labels.
Sheep country conflict
Least Concern overall, yet ranch fencing fragments migrations and past hunting thinned northern populations. Torres del Paine and other parks showcase dense herds.
Explore the Guanaco
Conservation status of the Guanaco
The guanaco (Lama guanicoe) is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. Least Concern (LC) is the IUCN's lowest-risk category, assigned to widespread, abundant species that have been evaluated and found not to be threatened. It does not mean a species faces no pressures — only that it is not currently at risk of extinction.
The guanaco (Lama guanicoe) is assessed on the IUCN Red List. Look up on the IUCN Red List .
Frequently asked questions about the Guanaco
Are guanacos the ancestors of llamas?
Yes — llamas were domesticated from guanaco stock in the Andes.
How do guanacos differ from vicuñas?
Guanacos are larger, occupy a wider altitude range including Patagonian lowlands, and have coarser fleece than vicuñas.
What is a baby guanaco called?
A young guanaco is called a cria — that is the usual English name for a young guanaco.
Can guanacos spit?
Yes — like other camelids, they spit stomach contents when threatened or settling disputes.
Where do guanacos live?
Steppe, scrub, and mountains from Peru to Tierra del Fuego. Native range summary: Patagonia and the Andes from Peru to Tierra del Fuego.
What is a group of guanacos called?
A group of Guanacos is called a herd.
Sources & references
This guide is compiled and reviewed against established zoological and conservation references. Key sources for the Guanaco:
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IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Conservation status (Least Concern) reflects the IUCN Red List category for Lama guanicoe.
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iNaturalist — observations & photos
Search citizen-science observations and community IDs for Lama guanicoe. Useful for range checks and recent sightings — not a substitute for formal Red List status.
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GBIF — occurrence data
Global Biodiversity Information Facility species search for Lama guanicoe. Explore published occurrence records used in range research.
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Global Animal Guide editorial standards
How we research, source, review, and update every guide for accuracy.
