Lama (genus)

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Lama
Llama in Peru
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Order:	Artiodactyla
Family:	Camelidae
Tribe:	Lamini
Genus:	Lama Cuvier, 1800
Type species
Lama guanicoe
Species
†Lama araucana (Molina, 1782) Lama glama (Linnaeus, 1758) Lama guanicoe (Müller, 1776) Lama pacos (Linnaeus, 1758) Lama vicugna (Molina, 1782)
Synonyms
Vicugna

Lama is a genus containing the South American camelids: the wild guanaco and vicuña and the domesticated llama, alpaca, and the extinct chilihueque. Before the Spanish conquest of the Americas, llamas, alpacas, and chilihueques were the only domesticated ungulates of the continent. They were kept not only for their value as beasts of burden, but also for their flesh, hides, and wool.