Guanaco in Torres del Paine National Park

Guanaco in Torres del Paine National Park, Chile - Jan 2008 The name Guanaco comes from the South American language Quechua word “huanaco.“ Guanacos are one of the largest wild mammal species found in South America (along with the manatee, the tapir, and the jaguar). They have only one natural predator, the mountain lion or puma. Guanacos will often spit when threatened. To protect its neck from harm, the guanaco has developed thicker skin on its neck, a trait still found in its domestic counterparts, the llama and alpaca, and its wild cousin, the vicuña. Bolivians use the necks of these animals to make shoes, flattening and pounding the skin to be used for the soles.