Camelidi

South American camelids descend from species that survived prehistoric catastrophes. They inhabited North America during the Tertiary period and migrated to Asia about 11 million years ago via the Bering Strait. Another group migrated to South America, giving rise to the Vicuña, Guanaco, Llama, and Alpaca. These animals provide meat, milk, and fibers and are essential to the livelihoods of Andean populations.