Guanaco: Characteristics, Diet, and Reproduction

Charles Darwin, the world-renowned naturalist and father of evolutionary theory, once referred to the guanaco (Lama guanicoe) as the “South American camel.” He wasn’t wrong—guanacos belong to the Camelidae family, which also includes camels and dromedaries from Africa and the Middle East, as well as South America’s llamas, alpacas, and vicuñas.

Due to their shared ancestry, these species exhibit many similar traits. For instance, unlike cows and other ruminants that have four stomach compartments, camelids like the guanaco only have three. Additionally, instead of hooves, they walk on two toes with nail-like hooves and soft padded soles, which are well-suited for rough and uneven terrain.

In this article, you’ll learn everything about the guanaco’s appearance, habitat, diet, and reproductive habits, especially as it remains one of the largest native mammals of Chile and Patagonia.

What Is a Guanaco? — Physical Traits

The guanaco is one of four camelid species native to South America, alongside the llama, alpaca, and vicuña. It is a wild animal and is considered the ancestor of the domesticated llama.

Key Features of the Guanaco:

• Slender build with a long neck and legs, giving it an elegant appearance.

• Short, soft wool in varying tones: typically light brown on the body, white on the belly, inner legs, and neck, and dark gray on the head.

• A small, curved tail.

• Medium-sized: measures between 90 cm to 1.2 meters at the shoulder.

• Consistent coat color across individuals, unlike llamas, which come in white, black, gray, or brown.

• Two primary subspecies:

• Lama guanicoe guanicoe: Found in Peru and northern Chile.

• Lama guanicoe cacsilensis: Larger in size, found in southern ranges.

Social Behavior:

Guanacos live in small herds typically consisting of one dominant male, 4–20 females, and their young (called "chulengos"). They mark their territory using dung piles and can run up to 60 km/h when escaping predators.

Guanaco Habitat

The guanaco is highly adaptable and has the widest range among all South American camelids. It prefers arid or semi-arid environments, especially those surrounding the Andes Mountains, from Peru to the southern tip of Patagonia.

Typical habitats include:

• Grasslands

• Shrublands

• Mountainous regions

Guanacos can be found at sea level up to 4,000 meters in elevation and are well-suited to endure both daily and seasonal temperature fluctuations.

What Do Guanacos Eat?

Guanacos are herbivorous generalists, meaning they are not picky about what they eat. This is likely an adaptation to their broad geographic distribution and diverse environments.

Their diet mainly consists of:

• Grasses (graminoids)

• Herbs

• Low shrubs

• Occasionally, lichens and succulents, particularly during dry periods

Guanacos tend to graze most actively from midday into the afternoon, then seek shelter in shrubs or protected areas at night.

Reproduction and Lifecycle

As with many camelids, guanaco herds follow a dominant male-led structure, especially during mating season (late spring). At around three years of age, young males leave the herd, often forming bachelor groups or living alone.

Breeding behavior and cycle:

• Mating Season: Late spring

• Gestation Period: ~11 months

• Offspring: Usually one calf, capable of walking within 2–3 days

• Weaning: Begins eating grass at ~1 month, fully weaned around 6 months

• Sexual Maturity:

• Females: ~1 year

• Males: ~3 years, but must establish their own group

• Seasonal Behavior:

• In winter, previously territorial herds become more social and form large migratory groups of hundreds.

Conclusion

The guanaco is a fascinating species that reflects the resilience and adaptability of South American wildlife. With its wide range, social complexity, and remarkable speed and endurance, it plays a vital ecological role in the regions it inhabits. As a wild ancestor of the llama, understanding the guanaco also offers insight into the domestication and evolution of camelids across the Andes.

If you're curious about the differences between llamas and alpacas, don't miss our related article: Llama vs. Alpaca: What Sets Them Apart.

Bibliography

Biodiversity Information System of the National Parks Administration, Argentina. Lama guanicoe. Available at: https://sib.gob.ar/especies/lama-guanicoe?tab=info-general

Torres, Hernán. Distribution and Conservation of the Guanaco: Report. (1985). International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN), Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK.

Gilmore, R. M. (1950). Fauna and Ethnozoology of South America. United States: U.S. Government Printing Office.

Ojasti, J. (1996). Wildlife Utilization in Latin America: Current Situation and Prospects for Sustainable Management. Italy: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.

animal tags： Guanaco