Guanaco

The Guanaco is very close in appearance to what are thought to be its domestic descendants, the Llamas and Alpacas. Guanacos live in Peru and parts of Chile and Argentina where they can be found all the way from sea level to elevations of 4,000 feet where their woolly coats help keep them warm. They are herbivorous, feeding mostly on grasses and small plants in the open lands they inhabitat. Predation is unusual except with regard to younger individuals who may become targets for hungry pumas. Guanacos are social animals but their packs exist in three distinct configurations. A family unit is composed of one male who guards a group of females which he will mate with. The rest of the males are either solitary or found in their own groups. An interesting way Guanacos designate territory is by defecating in communal piles. Lifespan averages around 20 years in the wild and up to 28 years in captivity.