Earliest Domesticated Animal Guanacos and their descendants, llamas, were domesticated as long as 5,000 years ago by Incan tribes in Peru. The native herdsmen of the Andes used the intelligent, highly trainable camelids for hauling and carrying, but llamas were much more than beasts of burden. Referring to the llama as "silent brother", the Incans recognized the llama's tremendous importance as an important source of meat, wool for clothing and blankets, skins for shelter, and even as a sacrifice to the Incan gods.

Reintroduced to North America In the late 1800s and early 1900s, zoos and private collectors started reintroducing llamas to North America. Their hardy constitution, gentle, curious disposition, and supreme adaptability has made llamas popular for both work and play; while many llamas serve as pack and/or trail animals, many others are owned and raised as show or companion animals.