Alpacas and llamas are both South American camelids which are members of the biological family Camelidae. As such, they are related to dromedary camels and Bactrian camels.

They do, however, display distinct differences in their appearance, temperament, and purpose.

• Size: Llamas are larger than alpacas, weighing 300 to 600 pounds compared to the typical 120-200 pounds of an alpaca.
• Ears: Llamas have long, curved, banana-shaped ears, while alpacas have shorter, straighter, spear-shaped ears.
• Face: Llamas have longer faces and noses with less fur, whereas alpacas have shorter, rounded, fluffy faces.
• Wool/Fibre: Alpacas are bred for their soft, luxurious fleece, while llamas have coarser hair and are primarily used as pack animals or for their guard instincts.
• Temperament: Alpacas tend to be more timid and shy, while llamas are generally more independent and confident.
• Uses: Llamas are used as pack animals for carrying heavy loads and also as guard animals for livestock. Alpacas are prized for their fleece and are used to produce high-quality textiles.

Having said that, however, all of the equipment we produce for alpacas can also be used if you rear llamas instead. We have a section for Alpacas, Llamas and Goats - no, they're not camelids! - where you will find pens, pens with corner veterinarian pens, gated hurdles and other such items of interest. Please click here to take a look at an example.

And don't forget that MW Engineering and Fabrication can make our double dip galvanised steel items to your specific dimensions. Don't hesitate to ask by email or by phone.