So usually it takes folks three or four times after meeting me to properly refer to my critters as alpacas.  Seems that most folks are much more familiar with the llama.  So here's a quick guide to telling them apart. 

On the right is a picture from Peru that traces the origins of these critters.  Might be a bit small so put on your specs.

• Alpacas are much smaller than llamas. They run about 150 pounds on the average versus llamas that can be 500 pounds.
• Alpacas have better fashion sense.  They have a much more attractive "do". 
• Alpaca have poofier fleece.  Llamas fleece kind of hangs there.

Alpacas have better hairdos You can normally tell an alpaca by the nice "poofey" hairdo.	Llama flathead This is a women's worst nightmare: flathead aka flathair... and the type of head that you will see on a llama	Llama history Here you see a diagram from Peru about Llamas	Alpacas are fluffy Like Teddy bears or teddy bears with dreadlocks if you are looking at a suri	These are cats Just making sure you are paying attention. This is Tommy and Sophie	Vicuna- a cousin Cousin to the alpaca is the vicuna - a vicuna scarf will set you back $900!