The original camelids of North America were common until the recent geological past. They disappeared by the end of the last ice age 10,000 to12,000 years ago, possibly as a result of hunting and/or habitat alterations.
Three species groups survived: the dromedary of North Africa and Southwest Asia; the Bactrian camel of Central Asia; and the South American group of four closely related species: llama (Lama glama), alpaca (Lama pacos), guanaco (Lama guanacoe), and vicuna (Vicugna vicugna).
The llama is the heaviest and largest South American camelid. Its long legs as well as its prominent and crooked ears distinguish it from the other three. Llamas have been domesticated and used as beast of burden since Pre-Incan times. They are still used as pack animals, as well as for the production of fiber and meat.
The photo of the llama was captured at Basel Zoo.