Ask Shagg by Peter Guren for April 17, 2022

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    The Orange Mailman  over 2 years ago

    The color goes well with your bloodshot eyes. Now that’s some good writing.

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    Stephen Gilberg  over 2 years ago

    Alpacas and llamas, both Andean camelids,

    May seem alike to most foreigners’ eyes.

    Distinction’s not hard once you know what to look for.

    For instance, the llama’s much greater in size,

    Perhaps a foot taller and double the weight,

    And it also has longer, banana-shaped ears.

    Its muzzle is longer, not blunt or “smooshed in.”

    The alpaca has ears that are shaped more like spears.

    While llamas were bred over five thousand years

    To move packs across mountains and also to eat,

    Alpacas were bred for the same five millennia

    Mostly for wool and Peruvian meat.

    It therefore makes sense that alpacas have fleeces

    Much fluffier, finer, more varied in hues,

    And llamas don’t have as much hair on their faces

    And heads as alpacas; there’s not as much use.

    The llamas show more independent behavior.

    It’s clear, for alpacas, a group is preferred.

    Since llamas don’t spook quite as easily, often

    They’ll stand by alpacas as guards for the herd.

    My sources agree these are all the main differences;

    Now you should know how to tell which is which.

    There’s also vicuñas as well as guanacos,

    But those won’t come up in a typical sitch.

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