Definition

Noun 1. A domesticated South American camelid: The lama pacos is a mammal, specifically a domesticated variety of the guanaco. It is characterized by its long, fine, and silky fleece, which is highly valued. This animal is raised primarily for its wool.

Usage Notes

• The term "lama pacos" is the scientific or taxonomic name. In common, everyday English, this animal is almost exclusively called an alpaca.
• It is important to distinguish it from its close relatives: the llama (larger, used as a pack animal), the guanaco (wild ancestor), and the vicuña (wild, with the finest wool).

Examples

• The lama pacos is bred primarily for its luxurious fiber.
• Farmers in the Andes raise herds of lama pacos.
• The fleece of the lama pacos is softer and finer than that of a llama.

Advanced Usage

• The species name "pacos" is often used in biological and agricultural contexts to specify this particular domesticated animal within the genus .

Variants and Related Words

• Alpaca (n): The universal common name for .
• Vicuña (n): A wild relative () with even finer, rarer wool.
• Guanaco (n): The wild ancestor () of both the llama and the alpaca.
• Llama (n): A larger domesticated camelid () used as a pack animal.

Synonyms

• Alpaca

Related Terms (Scientific/Technical)

• Camelid (n): The family of animals that includes camels, llamas, alpacas, guanacos, and vicuñas.
• Fleece (n): The woolly coat of an animal, especially a sheep or alpaca.

Noun

1. domesticated llama with long silky fleece; believed to be a domesticated variety of the guanaco