Visitors to the altiplano regions of the Andes might spot the wild huanaco, also spelled as guanaco, a wild mammal of the camel family, Lama guanicoe.

Guanacos are about 3 1/2 ft (105 cm) high at the shoulder, with long necks. They have dark faces, and are brown on the upper back and sides, with light underparts. With their short tails, big heads and large pointed ears, they can weight up to 300 pounds.

They live in groups of up to ten females, their young and a dominant male. As the young males mature, they fight for dominance and the loser goes off to start a new group. Angry, fighting or frightened guanacos tend to spit.

See a close up of a guanaco and read Land Creatures of South America for more information about these animals.

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