Welcome!

Welcome to our blog about Guanacos. How much do you know about them? 

We will show you everything you need to know.

Have fun!

General Information

Kingdom: Animalia (animals)
phylum: Chordata (contain notochord at some stage of development, wich  will be replaced by the vertebral column most having skull)
Class: Mamalia (mammals)
Order: Artiodactyla (pair number of fingers wich rest on the floor two at least)
Family: Camelidae (related to camels)
Genus: Lama
Species: L. guanicoe


Where can we find them?

• Arid, mountainous regions of South America
• Countries: Chile, Argentina, Peru, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador

Where does the name come from?

• Quechua word wanaku

How long can they live?

• 20 to 25 years

How many live guanacos can be found in the world nowadays?

• 400,000 to 600,000

How is their life in community?

• They live in herds of females, young ones and a dominant male. Bachelor males form a separate herd.While female groups tend to remain small, often containing no more than ten adults, bachelor herds may contain as many 50 males.Male chulengos are chased off from the herd at approximately one year of age.

How are their breadings called?

•  They are called chulengos. Chulengos are able to walk inmediately after birth.

 What happens when guanacos are scared?

• The guanacos alert  the herd to flee with a high-pitched bleating call in case they feel threatened. The male usually runs behind the herd to defend them reaching speeds up to fifty six Km/h. 

Can guanaco´s swim?

• They are excellent swimmers

What is their diet and how can they survive in regions with very little water?

• They eat mostly grasses and can lick all the nutrients and dew from desert cacti as a survival method.

                                                              The mating

 Mating season occurs between November and February. Males often fight violently to establish dominance and breeding rights. Eleven and a half months later, a single chulengo is born

.


     How do they survive in the height of the mountains?

• Guanaco´s, except in Patagonia, are often found up to thirteen thousand feet above sea level. To survive the low oxygen levels found at these high altitudes, they must have extra red blood cells (a teaspoon of guanaco blood contains about sixty eight millon red blood cells, which is four times that of a human).   

Why do guanacos spit?

• They spit when they are angry to ward off enemies.This is a sign that they are going to attack hard.

Which is the main predator of the guanacos?

• The mountain lion or Puma.

 

Videos

Interesting video related to the habitat of the Guanacos from Greenpeace to be aware of the dangers of mining (San Juan, Argentina)

Guanacos in danger

• Who are the predator of the guanacos?

Natural: Puma   
Others:  Humans

Why are humans predators of the guanaco?
 

• Because they are harmful to the species, there is a lot of biological, economic and social harm. The setting of mitigation measures for population control of the species could lead to indiscriminate hunting thereof.
  

The guanaco has great economic potential due to the renowned value of its fiber, leather and meat. 

Protecting Guanacos

How can we protect the guanaco?
          

•  Propose the creation of a protected area.

• The captive breeding model is an alternative use of the guanaco and has the advantages of making a selection according to criteria of productive behavior, individually control the masses, get animals tolerant to human presence and generate a controlled production of fiber, meat and other products in time. The disadvantages include the high initial financial investment and, in biological terms, the exclusion of individuals from natural selection processes.

• Facing the challenge of managing a wild species in captivity is essential to consider aspects of behavior and animal welfare. For this reason, it is necessary to have adequate infrastructure to provide security to both staff and animals, which in the case of the guanaco would be a fence of about 2mt high and pens separation leading to a locking sleeve, similar to those used in deer farms.

• Handling procedures should be periodic and to ensure minimal stress, this allows guanacos to be tolerant to human presence.

• Establishment of a national policy for the conservation and management of guanacos.