Animalia All you want to know about animals

Camelids

8 species

Camelids are members of the biological family Camelidae. The 7 extant members of this group are: dromedary camels, Bactrian camels, wild Bactrian camels, llamas, alpacas, vicuñas, and guanacos. They are even-toed ungulates classified, along with species like whales, pigs, deer, cattle, and antelopes. Camelids are large, strictly herbivorous animals with slender necks and long legs. They do not have hooves; rather, they have two-toed feet with toenails and soft footpads. Most of the weight of the animal rests on these tough, leathery sole pads. The South American camelids have adapted to the steep and rocky terrain by adjusting the pads on their toes to maintain grip. The three Afro-Asian camel species have developed extensive adaptations to their lives in harsh, near-waterless environments. Wild populations of the Bactrian camel are even able to drink brackish water, and some herds live in nuclear test areas.

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Alpaca

Vicugna pacos

The alpaca (Lama pacos) is a species of South American camelid mammal. It is similar to, and often confused with, the llama. However, alpacas are often noticeably smaller than llamas. The two animals are closely related and can successfully...

Llama

Lama glama

The llama(Lama glama) is a domesticated South American camelid. It is widely used as a meat and pack animal by Andean cultures since the Pre-Columbian era. The ancestors of llamas are thought to have originated from the Great Plains of North America...

Bactrian Camel

Camelus bactrianus

The Bactrian camel (Camelus bactrianus) is a large even-toed ungulate native to the steppes of Central Asia. It exists mainly in the domesticated form. Their name comes from the ancient historical region of Bactria. Domesticated Bactrian camels have...

Dromedary Camel

Camelus dromedarius

The dromedary camel (Camelus dromedaries) is a large even-toed ungulate, of the genus Camelus, with one hump on its back. It is the tallest of the three species of camel. It has not occurred naturally in the wild for nearly 2,000 years. It was...

Vicuna

Vicugna vicugna

The vicuña (Lama vicugna) or vicuna is one of the two wild South American camelids, which live in the high alpine areas of the Andes. Vicunas are relatives of the llama, and are now believed to be the wild ancestor of domesticated alpacas, which are...

Guanaco

Lama guanicoe

The guanaco (Lama guanicoe) is a camelid native to South America. Described as an elegant animal, with a long, slender neck and fine legs by Charles Darwin, the guanaco is the biggest wild camelid family member in South America and is thought to be...

Wild Bactrian Camel

Camelus ferus

The Wild Bactrian camel is a critically endangered species of camel living in parts of northern China and southern Mongolia. Until recently, wild Bactrian camels were thought to have descended from domesticated Bactrian camels that became feral...

Australian Feral Camel

Camelus dromedarius

Australian feral camels are feral populations of Dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius) in Australia. They were imported from British India and Afghanistan during the 19th century for transport and construction during the colonization of the central...