Llama distinguished by the inhabitants of South America are recognized as distinct species, though with difficulties in defining their distinctive characteristics. These are: The llama and alpaca are only known in the domestic state, and are variable in size and of many colors, being often white, brown, or piebald. Some are grey or black. The guanaco and vicuña are wild, the former being endangered, and of a nearly uniform light-brown color, passing into white below. They certainly differ from each other, the vicuña being smaller, more slender in its proportions, and having a shorter head than the guanaco. The vicuña lives
Agriculture in Chile cattle were introduced to Chile. Due to the geographical isolation of Chile and the commerce limitations imposed by the Spanish crown few new species were introduced to colonial Chile after its conquest. Nearly all of Chile's exports and imports went by Lima in Peru, which was a rich colony with little need of commerce with Chile. The 17th century came to be known as the century of the fat ("Siglo del sebo"), because Chile’s agricultural exports to Peru consisted mainly of animal fat and charqui. Since Peru's croplands were affected by an earthquake and a plague in 1687, Chile became