Puma Has Biggest Fight of Its Life Trying to Bring Down a Guanaco

The guanaco in this clip is giving a puma an absolute pounding! The carnivore desperately clings on but is flung at all angles and slammed onto the ground. Meanwhile, it refuses to relinquish its grip on the guanaco’s throat. We don’t know how this contest ends, and it’s difficult to call. The predator and prey are evenly matched.

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Where Do Guanacos Normally Live?

Guanacos are a member of the lama genus, alpacas, and llamas. They are a native species of South America, and their range extends south from northern Peru. This means you can spot them in Bolivia, Argentina, and Tierra del Fuego. Guanaco were also introduced to some parts of the Falkland Islands, where they thrive.

This species can survive in a range of habitats. They occupy several harsh environments, either very arid (Atacama desert) or wet (Tierra del Fuego). Their preference is for open habitats without steep, rocky slopes. You will likely find them in environments with high winds, low rainfall, and sparse vegetation.

How Do Guanacos Normally Behave?

There are no fixed social systems in guanaco populations. During the breeding season, they form family groups, but there are also male groups and solitary males. A family group comprises an adult male, several adult females, and their offspring. The male groups are made up of between three and 60 individuals.

These guys spend most of their time looking for food or eating. They are herbivores and are both browsers and grazers. As flexible feeders, they can make the most of any environment they find themselves in – even if it is harsh. Each population often has a preferred plant. For example, guanacos in the Andean foothills in Argentina mainly feed on two species of shrub. They will happily eat fungi, lichens, cacti, fruit, and flowers when needed.

Which Animals Hunt Guanacos?

Pumas are their primary predator; as you can see in this clip, they are experienced in fighting them off. Nevertheless, some studies have concluded that pumas are responsible for 80 percent of guanaco deaths!

To protect themselves from attack, guanacos gather in groups. This reduces the risk to each individual (dilution), and there are more eyes to spot an approaching puma. Their approach to dealing with pumas is usually ‘see and flee.’ However, groups of guanacos have been seen cornering, kicking, and driving away smaller predators. They do not give in easily!

The photo featured at the top of this post is © abriendomundo/Shutterstock.com