Huarizo Explained

A huarizo, also known as a llapaca, is a hybrid cross between a male llama and a female alpaca. Misti is a similar hybrid; it is a cross between a male alpaca and a female llama. The most common hybrid between South American camelids,^[1] huarizo tend to be much smaller than llamas, with their fibre being longer.^[2] Huarizo are sterile, but recent genetic research conducted at the University of Minnesota Rochester suggests that it may be possible to preserve fertility with minimal genetic modification.However, many owners have reported that their Huarizos and Mistis are fertile.

Other camelidae hybridizations

• Camel hybrids
• Cama, a hybrid with camel and llama.
• Llamanaco, a cross between guanaco and llama has been reported in the wild in the Magallanes Region of Chile.^[3]

See also

• Mule and Hinny – two equine cross-species between a horse and a donkey which are also unable to reproduce.

Notes and References

1. Book: A. Rosati. A. Tewolde. C. Mosconi. WAAP Book Of The Year 2003: A Review on Developments and Research in Livestock Systems. 6 June 2012. 30 September 2004. Wageningen Academic Pub. 978-90-76998-47-3. 188.
2. Book: Martina Gerken. Carlo Renieri. South American Camelids Research: Proceedings of the 4th European Symposium on South American Camelids and DECAMA European Seminar, Göttingen, 7-9 October 2004. 6 June 2012. 2006. Wageningen Academic Pub. 978-90-76998-98-5. 283.
3. Lescrauwaet Vandenabiile . Anne-Cathèrine Marie Marc . Primera cruza interespecífica de Llama (Lama glama) y Guanaco (Lama guanicoe) como opción innovadora en la ganadería productiva de la Región de Magallanes, Chile . Observatorio para la Innovación Silvoagropecuaria y la Cadena Agroalimentaria . 1 Oct 1997 . 18 Nov 2021 .