Llamas are a quintessential symbol of Peru, almost synonymous with the country and a must-see snap for visitors. You’re likely to catch a sighting of them wandering the cobbled streets of Cusco, speckling the Andean landscape around Machu Picchu or the Sacred Valley of the Incas. In honour of our native furry friend we’ve gathered a few facts and some of our favourite photos on Instagram for you to get better acquainted.
1. Many people know that the llama is a cousin of the alpaca, although they aren’t the same species. However, you might not know that the llama is actually also related to the camel.
2. Llamas can carry around 30% of their body weight. They can do this for long periods of time which is why they were favoured by the Incas to help them carry luggage on long journeys. That said, if you put too much on a llama’s back they’ll lie down and refuse to move until you lighten its load!
