All camelids are currently grouped within the family Camelidae, where various species are located. Although these animals naturally no longer inhabit North America, it was in the center of this region that their ancestors began. Later, they moved to other areas to give rise to the current species. Camelids were one of the first modern artiodactyls to emerge and, in addition to having significant diversification, they have developed their own characteristics that distinguish them from their relatives.
In this article on our site we present the characteristics of camelids, the types that exist and some specific examples. Do not miss it!
What are camelids and how are they classified?
Camelids are mammalian animals that belong to the artiodactyl order, that is, ungulates with even-toed extremities, which have developed particular characteristics, both anatomical and physiological, that differentiate them from pigs, deer and cattle, among others.
Classification of camelids
Although with a somewhat controversial taxonomy, camelids, according to the Integrated Taxonomic Information System [1],are classified as follows:
- Animalia Kingdom
- Filo: Chordata
- Class: Mammalia
- Order: Artiodactyla
- Family: Camelidae
- Genres: Camelus, Lama, Vigcuna
Within the genus Camelus, we find the following species and subspecies:
- Species: Camelus bactrianus, Camelus dromedarius
- Subspecies: C. b. bactrianus, C. b. ferus
To the genus Lama these species and subspecies belong:
- Species: Lama glama
- Subspecies: L. g. cacsilensis, L. g. glama, L. g. guanicoe
Finally, in the genus Vigcuna these species are distinguished:
Species: Vicugna pacos, V icugna vicugna.
On the other hand, the International Union for Conservation of Nature distinguishes between wild and domesticated camels, the former recognized as Camelus ferus and the latter as Camelus bactrianus. In relation to the genus Lama, the wild form is recognized as Lama guanicoe, while the domestic form is recognized as Lama glama. Additionally, it also includes two subspecies, L. g. cacsilensis and L. g. guanicoe. For the case of Vicugna, consider two subspecies, V. v. Vicugna and V. v. mensalis.
Characteristics of camelids
As we have mentioned, camelids have a series of distinctive characteristics that differentiate them from other artiodactyls, let's find out what they are:
- In general, they are big animals. The species of the new world vary between 35 and 100 kg, approximately, while those of the old world have greater weights, ranging from 450 to about 650 kg.
- Although depending on the species they can vary between slender or stocky, all have small heads in relation to the body, their necks are long and the legs too.
- The upper lip is noticeably cleft or split, allowing independent mobility on either side.
- Another unique and distinctive characteristic of camelids is that they have smaller red blood cells than other mammals, with a peculiar elliptical shape.
- In relation to the teeth, they have true canines, in addition to premolars separated from the molars by spaces known as diastema.
- They have no horns.
- The anatomical arrangement of the hips and extremities is particular, which allows them to flex the latter under the trunk when lying down.
- Although they present certain physiological similarities with ruminants, such as fermenting in the foregut, they differ from ruminants in that they have a stomach divided into three chambers In each of these compartments there are glandular regions, but they lack papillae.
- Camelids don't have hooves, instead they have nails on each of the phalanges. In addition, they have plantar pads.
- They move in a unique way, as the movement pattern consists of limbs on the same side moving simultaneously.
- The females of this group do not have an ovulation cycle, but this process is induced by an external stimulus, just before or during mating.
Types of camelids
We can mention that, in general, there are two types of camelids:
- Old world camelids, native to Asia and Africa.
- New World Camelids, specifically from South America.
Although with several distinctions, the main features that differentiate them is that those from the old world have one or two humps depending on the species, and they also have sizes and weights much larger than the camelids from the new world.
However, from a taxonomic point of view and depending on the recognized genera, there are three types of camelids, one genus from the Old World and two from the New World. They are:
- Camelus: in this group we find the camels, They may have one or two humps. The former are known as Arabian or Dromedary camels, while the latter are known as Bactrian or Asian camels. Both are domesticated animals, associated with many human groups. The only wild form is identified as Camelus ferus and is often called the wild Bactrian camel or just the wild camel. Discover the main differences between camel and dromedary in this other article.
- Lama: In the case of this genus, there is also a wild and a domesticated form. The former is commonly called ' guanaco' (Lama guanicoe), while the latter is commonly called ' llama ' (Lama glama).
- Vicugna: the vicuña (Vicugna Vicugna) corresponds to the wild species and the alpaca (Vicugna pacos) to the domesticated form.
Where do camelids live?
In relation to their habitat, we can divide the current camelids into two groups, those native to arid zones of Africa and Asia, as is the case of camels, and those that live in South America, which are the other two genders. However, like many other animals, these mammals have been introduced to various regions to which they do not belong. Native Old World species are originally adapted to live in habitats with harsh drought conditions. In this sense, the dromedary camel is typical of the Arabian Peninsula, extending from northern India to the arid zones of Africa, with a particular presence in the Sahara. For its part, the Bactrian camel inhabits both central and western Asia, especially China. However, its distribution has been very limited in recent years. The wild camel is restricted to only four subpopulations between China and Mongolia.
For their part, the species of the genus Lama are widely distributed, but irregular, from the north of Peru to the south of Chile They are present in the northeast of the Pacific Ocean and the southeast of the Atlantic, with a range from sea level to 5,000 meters above sea level in terms of to the Andean Cordillera. Its habitat is characterized by being deserts, xeric scrublands, mountainous grasslands, savannahs or temperate forests.
As for the genus Vicugna, it extends through Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Argentina and EcuadorThey are present in cold and dry climates, with mainly xerophytic vegetation and bare soils. They can also inhabit shallow wetlands, steppes, and grasslands.
Feeding camelids
Camelids are herbivores Specifically, camels include in their diet mainly plants with thorns, dry herbs and s alty bushes. However, Bactrian camels also include meat consumption in cases of severe plant shortages. Get to know all the details of the feeding of the camels in this post.
For their part, vicuñas and alpacas are generalists and, although they may include bushes in their diet, they prefer both grasses and herbs. Guanacos and llamas also have a general diet, consuming large amounts of grasses and shrubs.
Discover other herbivorous animals in this other article.
Conservation status of camelids
The conservation status of animals is usually attributed to wild forms, in this sense, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, it determines the following classification:
- Camelus ferus: critically endangered.
- Lama guanicoe: least concern.
- Vicugna Vicugna: least concern.
