Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Guanaco calf makes her debut at the Berlin Zoo

A baby Guanaco is nursed by her mother Hannah (R) in their enclosure at the zoo in Berlin, November 2, 2010. The South America native Lama female calf was born in the zoo on last October 17.


We sometimes wonder if the Berlin Zoo -- home to African lion cubs, wolf pups, moose calves and, of course, world-famous Knut the polar bear -- has room for any animals that aren't adorable. The breakneck pace with which it debuts cute animal babies is enough to make our heads spin.

This week, the zoo's baby animal du jour is a female guanaco calf, seen above with her mother, Hannah, in their outdoor enclosure. The calf was born in mid-October.


A baby Guanaco looks up while feeding in her enclosure at the Tiergarten zoo in Berlin on November 2, 2010. The South America native Lama female calf was born in the zoo on last October 17.


The guanaco, like its domestic counterpart, the llama, is native to parts of South America. (Both animals share a penchant for spitting.) The species is also a relative of the camel and, as such, doesn't need much water to survive. Another similarity between the guanaco and the camel, according to the San Diego Zoo, is that "both animals have two padded toes that help with footing on rocky trails or gravel slopes. Their feet are best described as 'squishy.' " Of course, guanacos don't have humps.

Guanacos are known for their loud vocalizations, meaning you probably wouldn't want to have this baby -- no matter how cute she is -- as a roommate.

See more photos of the Berlin Zoo's new guanaco baby after the jump!



A baby Guanaco (L) stays close to her her mother Hannah while feeding in their enclosure at the Tiergarten zoo in Berlin on November 2, 2010. The South America native Lama female calf was born in the zoo on last October 17.




A baby Guanaco looks up while feeding in her enclosure at the Tiergarten zoo in Berlin on November 2, 2010. The South America native Lama female calf was born in the zoo on last October 17.



A baby Guanaco (L) stays close to her her mother Hannah while feeding in their enclosure at the Tiergarten zoo in Berlin on November 2, 2010. The South America native Lama female calf was born in the zoo on last October 17.


source: Daylife, LAtimesblogs
photo: Gettyimages


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