Late Pleistocene Llama
Hemiauchenia macrocephala
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Chordata
Mammalia
Artiodactyla
Camelidae
Hemiauchenia macrocephala
Hemiauchenia macrocephala, the North American Camel, was a long-limbed, tall-headed herbivore that roamed the open plains and woodlands of Pleistocene North America. Elegant yet robust, it was a close relative of modern llamas, adapted to the cooler, drier climates that marked the Ice Age.
Description
This species was one of the largest North American camelids, standing nearly 2.5 meters tall at the head. Its long legs, slender neck, and elongated skull gave it a distinctive silhouette—graceful but powerful. The name macrocephala means “large head,” referencing its proportionally long skull compared to smaller camelids. It fed primarily on leaves, twigs, and grasses, using its split upper lip to browse efficiently.
Hemiauchenia macrocephala thrived across a broad range from Florida and Texas to the Great Plains, with fossils even appearing in parts of Central America. Its physiology suggests strong endurance and mobility, likely allowing it to migrate between seasonal feeding grounds much like modern camels and guanacos.
Quick Facts
Max Mass
Shoulder Height
Standing Height
Length
Diet
Trophic Level
200
1.4
2.1
2.7
kg
m
m
m
Mixed Feeder
Herbivores – Grazers
Hunt History
Early Paleoindian hunters likely pursued Hemiauchenia macrocephala for meat, hide, and bone. Evidence from Late Pleistocene sites shows camelid bones with cut marks and associated projectile points. Though climate shifts at the end of the Ice Age reduced its habitat, human hunting pressure may have been the final factor in its extinction. Its relatively calm nature and herd behavior would have made it vulnerable to group hunts and ambushes.
Archaeological Evidence:
Hiscock Site, New York — camelid bones found with Paleoindian stone tools (~12,000 BP).
Vero Beach, Florida — fossil remains from the late Pleistocene with signs of human association (~11,500 BP).
Rancho La Brea, California — partial skeletons preserved in tar pits, illustrating its slender, long-legged form.
Time & Range
Extinction Status
Globally Extinct
Extinction Date
Temporal Range
Region
12000
BP
Late Pleistocene
North America
Wiki Link
Fat Analysis
Fatness Profile:
Medium
Fat %
5
Est. Renderable Fat
10
kg
Targeted Organs
Hump/backfat, marrow
Adipose Depots
Hump/backfat (when present), visceral; marrow
Preferred Cuts
Hump/backfat
Hunt Difficulty (x/5)
3