From Forests to Deserts: The Ancient American Origins of Camels and Their Andean Cousins
When we picture camels, images of windswept dunes in the Sahara or the vast Gobi Desert often come to mind. Yet few realise that the true origin of camels lies not in Africa or Asia, but in the ancient forests and grasslands of North America.
Fossil records indicate that camels first appeared in North America approximately 40 million years ago, evolving in the central and western regions of the continent. For tens of millions of years, they roamed freely alongside ancient horses and sabre-toothed cats, adapting to a range of environments far removed from the deserts we now associate them with.
It wasn’t until roughly 8 million years ago that some camel species began to migrate westward across the Bering land bridge, then a vast expanse of tundra connecting Alaska and Siberia. From there, they gradually spread through Asia and into Africa, eventually giving rise to the dromedary (one-humped) and Bactrian (two-humped) camels that thrive today in arid regions. This migration was a turning point in the origin of camels as we know them today.
Ironically, while camels flourished abroad, they eventually disappeared from North America around 10,000 years ago, likely due to a combination of climate change and human hunting during the Pleistocene extinction event.
But the story doesn’t end there.
A different group of camel ancestors migrated southward into what is now South America roughly 2.5 million years ago. There, in the high Andes and grassy plains, they evolved into the camel’s close—and surprisingly dainty—cousins: the llama, alpaca, vicuña, and guanaco. These species, too, trace their roots to the origin of camels in North America, proving that this evolutionary journey is far more complex and global than most realise.
Camels: The Desert Ships with Arctic Roots
Camels are some of the most extraordinary survivors on the planet, but their image as purely desert animals only tells part of the story. Their ancestors once roamed the woodlands and plains of prehistoric North America, long before deserts entered the picture. Today, camels are marvels of adaptation. A dromedary can drink over 130 litres of water in a single sitting, endure weeks without a sip, and regulate its body temperature to avoid sweating. Despite the myth, their humps store fat, not water reserves that keep them going when food is scarce. The two main types we know today—the one-humped dromedary of Arabia and the two-humped Bactrian of Central Asia—descend directly from this ancient origin of camels.
Camels may rule the desert today, but their story began in the forests of ancient North America.
Llamas, alpacas, vicuñas, and guanacos are living echoes of a migration that reshaped continents.
Travel tip: For those looking to photograph camels in their modern settings, consider the Pushkar Camel Fair in India or a desert trek in Morocco, Dubai or Mongolia. Sunrise and sunset lighting across the dunes provides unforgettable silhouettes of camel caravans.
Llamas: Social, Strong, and Surprisingly Sassy
Llamas are the beloved workhorses of the Andes, known not only for their strength and endurance but for their expressive personalities. Used for centuries as pack animals by the native peoples of South America, llamas can carry up to a third of their body weight across rugged terrain. Their body language is a whole communication system—ears back means trouble, humming means curiosity or contentment. While they’ve earned a reputation for spitting, they usually reserve that drama for each other in moments of dispute or flirtation. Llamas thrive in herds and form strong social bonds, often standing guard for smaller animals.
Travel tip: Peru’s Sacred Valley and Bolivia’s Salar de Uyuni are prime places to see llamas in their element. Bring a moderate telephoto lens (70–200mm) to capture close expressions without disturbing them, and don’t forget to frame them against a snow-capped Andean backdrop.
Alpacas: The Soft-Spoken Wool Producers
Smaller and fluffier than their llama cousins, alpacas are bred not for muscle, but for their luxurious fleece, among the softest and warmest natural fibres in the world. Unlike sheep’s wool, alpaca fleece is hypoallergenic and comes in a breathtaking range of 22 natural shades, from snowy white to rich chestnut. Alpacas are gentle by nature and tend to hum softly when content. They’re social creatures, forming tight-knit groups, and are rarely aggressive. Unlike llamas, alpacas are never used as pack animals and are highly valued for their textile contributions. As relatives in the long story of the origin of camels, they represent the peaceful, artistic branch of a hardy family.
Travel tip: To see alpacas up close, head to Cusco’s textile cooperatives or the altiplano villages around Lake Titicaca. Photographers should aim for morning light and soft backgrounds to highlight the texture and colour of the fleece. Bonus: Capturing a cria (baby alpaca) nestled next to its mother is always a winning shot.
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Vicuñas: The Wild Ancestors with the Golden Fleece
The smallest of the South American camelids, vicuñas are wild and wary, thriving in the high-altitude plains of the Andes. Their golden fleece is the most expensive natural fibre in the world—fine, warm, and incredibly rare. Traditionally, vicuñas were shorn once every few years during ancient community rituals, a practice still echoed today in sustainable chaccu ceremonies. Revered by the Inca, only royalty were allowed to wear garments made from vicuña wool. Despite once being on the brink of extinction, strict conservation efforts have helped vicuñas rebound in numbers, and they now symbolise both resilience and delicate ecological balance. Their DNA continues to trace back to the earliest origin of camels in North America.
Travel tip: The Pampa Galeras National Reserve in Peru offers one of the best chances to see wild vicuñas. Due to their skittish nature, photographers will need patience, zoom lenses, and a quiet approach. Try capturing them during golden hour when the sunlight turns their coats into glowing silk.
Guanacos: The Hardy Survivors of Patagonia
Guanacos are the wild, untamed cousins of llamas, built for speed, stamina, and survival. They roam the windswept steppes and rocky outcrops of Patagonia, enduring cold, hunger, and isolation with stoic grace. Guanacos can reach speeds of 56 km/h, evade predators with agile leaps, and even swim—an unusual skill among camelids. Their thick coats protect them from biting winds, and their ability to go long periods without drinking helps them survive in parched, windswept regions where water is scarce. As members of the greater camelid family, they are among the last wild witnesses to the ancient origin of camels.
Travel tip: Head to Torres del Paine National Park in Chile or Argentina’s Tierra del Fuego for some of the most dramatic guanaco encounters. Their russet coats contrast beautifully against glacial blues and rugged rock faces. Bring a long lens and watch for guanaco families framed by jagged mountain silhouettes or grazing beneath condor-filled skies.
One Ancient Family, Many Modern Journeys
From the snowy woodlands of ancient North America to the dunes of Arabia and the peaks of the Andes, the story of camels and their South American cousins is one of migration, adaptation, and resilience. These animals, though separated by continents and culture, remain tied by an ancient lineage—and a shared legacy of endurance. At its heart is the often-overlooked origin of camels, a story that began in the most unexpected of places—and continues across the world today.
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