The typical beast of burden in the Andes region of South America is the IIamas. These animals are mostly bred by the Indians for their milk and their thick wool. Usually white, the animals can vary in color to solid black, with any combination of brown or black spots.

The IIama is stolid and tough animal, able to endure thirst and to exist on a wide variety of vegetation. It is often used to carry loads up steep mountain paths and in places where there are no roads, traveling slowly but safely even in the most difficult and dangerous places. It can carry a load of about 60 kilogrammes for about five days on end without resting. When overloaded or exhausted however, it lies down, hisses, spits and kicks, refusing to move until relieved of some weight or adequately rested. Only the male IIamas are used as beasts of burden. The females are kept in the grazing grounds, and although they do not yield very much milk the Indians put it to a number of uses. LIamas are also bred for their meat which resembles pork.