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about Llamas and Alpacas  Archive-name: animals/llama-alpaca
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alt.animals.llama Last-modified: 06/26/2005 Version: 1.9.1  FAQ
about Llamas and Alpacas  Q: Where do llamas & alpacas come
from? A: Llamas and alpacas come from Peru, Bolivia, and Chile,
in the high plains areas called the "Altiplano" (elevation:
8,000'-15,000' ). Llamas were first brought to the United States
by William Randolph Hearst in the 1920's for his personal zoo.
Alpacas were imported much more recently, beginning in the '80s.
Llamas and alpacas were domesticated from their wild
counterparts, the Guanaco and Vicuna. 6,000-7,000 years ago by
the Quechua Indians and their fiber and structure were improved
by the Incas.  Q: What kind of personality do llamas have? A:
Llamas by nature, are very intelligent, gentle animals. They are
relatively inexpensive to maintain, relatively disease-free, and
are quick,to learn, cooperativ