# Guanaco (*Lama guanicoe*)

> 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.

- **Category:** Mammal
- **Conservation status (IUCN):** Least Concern
- **Range:** Patagonia and the Andes from Peru to Tierra del Fuego.
- **Canonical page:** https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/guanaco/
- **Last reviewed:** 2026-07-16

## Scientific classification

- **Kingdom:** Animalia
- **Phylum:** Chordata
- **Class:** Mammalia
- **Order:** Artiodactyla
- **Family:** Camelidae
- **Genus:** Lama

## Facts at a glance

| Attribute | Value |
| --- | --- |
| 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) |

## 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.

## Frequently asked questions

### 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.

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Source: Global Animal Guide (https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/guanaco/). Licensed CC BY-NC 4.0 — free for non-commercial reuse with attribution.