Guanaco

The guanaco (Lama guanicoe) is a species of camelid found in South America, and is one of the two species of wild South American camelids, the other being the vicuña. Its name comes from the Quechua word, huanaco. The guanaco is one of the largest land terrestrial land animals in South America, along with the tapirs, the marsh deer, the jaguar, the white-tailed deer, and the spectacled bear. Guanacos stand between 1.0 and 1.3 m at the shoulder, body length of 2.1 to 2.2 m, and weighs 90 to 140 kg. Unlike its relative, the llama, its color varies very little ranging from light brown to dark cinnamon and shading white underneath. In addition, guanacos have gray faces and small, straight ears. The fiber of the guanaco is mainly prized for its soft, warm feel and is found in luxury fabric. Guanacos are double-coated with coarse guard hairs and a soft undercoat. Guanacos are often found in high altitudes, except for in Patagonia, found up to 4,000 meters above sea level.