# Guanaco (*Lama guanicoe*) Guanacos are gentle animals that live in the wild. They have long legs and a soft, thick coat that keeps them warm in the cold mountains. - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Habitat:** Mountain regions ![Guanaco](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Guanaco_at_SF_Zoo.jpg&width=800) Photo: Sanjay Acharya, CC BY-SA 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Guanaco_at_SF_Zoo.jpg) ## Appearance The Guanaco is a large camelid with a graceful neck and long legs, covered in thick, woolly fur that is typically light brown to reddish-brown on its back and sides, fading to white on its belly. It has a distinctive grey face with small, pointed ears, setting it apart from its domesticated relatives. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Artiodactyla - **Family:** Camelidae - **Genus:** Lama ## Interesting facts - Baby guanacos can stand and run within minutes of being born, amazing! - Guanacos have soft pads on their feet, like built-in shoes, to walk on rocky ground easily! - Their thick woolly coat helps them stay warm in freezing mountain winters and cool in summer. - They communicate using over 18 different sounds, from humming to snorting! ## Special abilities - **High-Altitude Stamina:** Guanaco has special red blood cells that carry more oxygen, allowing them to live and thrive in very high mountains. - **Projectile Defense:** Guanaco can spit foul-smelling stomach contents at predators, creating a distraction to help them escape harm. - **Endurance Runner:** Guanaco can run at high speeds for extended periods across tough terrain, helping them flee from chasing predators. - **Thirsty Traveller:** Guanaco can get most of its water from plants, allowing it to survive in dry areas where water is scarce. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 120-220 cm - **Weight:** 90-140 kg - **Lifespan:** 15-20 years - **Speed:** 56 km/h - **Litter Size:** 1 - **Gestation:** 330-360 days ## Diet & Feeding These plant-eaters munch on grasses, herbs, shrubs, and even cacti in their harsh habitats. - **Primary Foods:** Grasses, Herbs, Shrubs, Lichens, Cacti, Fungi - **Foraging Method:** Grazing ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Cougar](https://www.snappit.app/explore/cougar) (*Puma concolor*) — Primary predator of adults and young across their range. - **Eaten by:** Culpeo Fox (*Lycalopex culpaeus*) — Preys on guanaco fawns and sick individuals. - **Eats:** [Andean Condor](https://www.snappit.app/explore/andean-condor) (*Vultur gryphus*) — Scavenges on guanaco carcasses, an important food source. ## Traits - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Mountain](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/mountain): This habitat trait identifies species found in mountainous regions, characterized by high elevation, steep slopes, and varying climate zones. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. ## Collections - [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/mammals) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Always watch guanacos from a distance, as they are wild animals. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Guanaco? Compare ears, muzzle, tail, feet and coat markings. Size is hard to judge without something nearby for scale, and young mammals may not have adult coloring yet. Mammal Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Guanaco? 120-220 cm ### How much does Guanaco weigh? 90-140 kg ### How long does Guanaco live? 15-20 years ### How fast can Guanaco move? 56 km/h ### What does Guanaco eat? These plant-eaters munch on grasses, herbs, shrubs, and even cacti in their harsh habitats. ### Where is Guanaco usually found? Mountain regions ### How does Guanaco hunt? Grazing ## Where to spot - [Santa Ana Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/santa-ana-zoo) — California, US · Zoo - [Tierpark Hamm](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/tierpark-hamm) — Nordrhein-Westfalen, DE · Zoo - [Tier-, Freizeit- und Saurierpark Germendorf](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/tier-freizeit-und-saurierpark-germendorf) — Brandenburg, DE · Zoo - [Tierpark Perleberg](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/tierpark-perleberg) — Brandenburg, DE · Zoo [View all places to see Guanaco](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/guanaco) ## More Mammals - [Eastern Fox Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-fox-squirrel) (*Sciurus niger*) - [Eastern Cottontail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-cottontail) (*Sylvilagus floridanus*) - [Eastern Chipmunk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-chipmunk) (*Tamias striatus*) - [California Ground Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-ground-squirrel) (*Otospermophilus beecheyi*) --- Source: [Guanaco: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/guanaco)