Lama is a genus of South American camelids, family Camelidae, comprising the llama, alpaca, guanaco and vicuna, plus the extinct chilihueque, native to the Andean region of South America. Before Spanish contact, the llama, alpaca and chilihueque were the only domesticated ungulates on the continent, while wild guanaco and vicuna populations range from Ecuador and Peru through Patagonia. Members lack the dorsal humps of Old World camels and have long pointed ears, narrow feet with separated toes, and long, ruffled fur like that of a sheep; domestic forms vary in color from white to black or piebald, while the wild species show a nearly uniform light brown coat passing into white below.
Facts
Taxonomic Rank Scientific Name Member Species/Taxa Count Defining CharacteristicsNo dorsal hump is present. Feet are narrow, the toes being more separated than in the camels. 1 Identification
Distinguishing AppearanceThe tail is short, and the fur is long and ruffled looking like that of a sheep. 1 Classification
Living or Extinct Sources
1. Lama (genus) - Wikipedia
Introduction, first sentence
Lama is a genus containing the South American camelids
Taxobox, Scientific classification
Lama Cuvier, 1800
Species section heading
Genus Lama, Cuvier, 1800, five species
Characteristics section, first sentence
No dorsal hump is present. Feet are narrow, the toes being more separated than in the camels.
Characteristics section, second sentence
The tail is short, and the fur is long and ruffled looking like that of a sheep.
View the Source2. Wikidata (taxon extant/extinct status)
Wikimedia Foundation / Wikidata contributorsQ753853, descriptionView the Source Wikidata: Lama
Wikidata Q753853, class allow-list match (w-wdresolver-0926)View the Source Reader Challenges (0)
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