Article
Article
Alpaca
Article By:
Curtin, Charles B. Department of Biology, Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska.
Last reviewed:October 2019
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1036/1097-8542.025200
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Vicugna pacos, a member of the camel family (Camelidae), which has been domesticated for more than 2000 years and is economically important for its long, fine wool. The alpaca (Vicugna pacos; formerly, Lama pacos) [see illustration] belongs to the family Camelidae in the mammalian order Artiodactyla (the even-toed ungulates). The range of the alpaca is more restricted than that of other related species of the camel family, specifically, the llama and vicuna, and it is found at elevations above 3650 m (12,000 ft) along the shores of Lake Titicaca on the boundaries of Peru and Bolivia. See also: Artiodactyla; Camel; Llama; Mammalia; South America; Vicuna
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