Alpaca, known scientifically as Vicugna pacos, is a South American species of camelid mammal.
It is often mistaken for the llama. Alpacas are smaller in size than llamas, which are larger.
The two animals are closely linked so that they can crossbreed successfully.
The Alpacas and Llamas are thought to have been domesticated from guanaco and vicuña, their relatives in the wild.
Alpaca has two breeds, namely, Huacaya alpaca and Suri alpaca.
Unlike llamas bred to be used as working animals, alpacas are bred mainly for fiber.
For instance, alpaca fiber makes woven and knitted wool, just like sheep’s wool.
Body language is the alpaca’s mode of communication, and the most common mode of communication is spitting, which shows that they are distressed or afraid.
The male’s alpacas are very hostile compared to the females.
Scientific Classification
- Scientific Name: Vicugna pacos
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Mammalia
- Order: Artiodactyla
- Family: Camelidae
- Genus: Vicugna
- Species: V. pacos
Breeds
There are two breeds of alpaca based on their fibers, which are not scientific classifications; they are Huacaya and Suri.
- Huacaya Alpacas: this type of alpaca breed is the most widespread, taking about 90 percent of the population. It is believed that the Huacaya alpaca came into existence during post-colonial Peru. This was a result of its fleece, which is very thick, making it possible for them to survive in regions of higher altitudes.
- Suri Alpacas: a smaller part of the total population of alpacas, about 10 percent, is represented by the Suri alpaca. They are believed to have been common in pre-Columbian Peru because they could be kept at a lower altitude that didn’t require a thick fleece for survival.
Behavior
Alpacas are very social domestic animals that live together as a group, comprising their progeny, territorial alpha males, and females.
By always making a sharp, noisy inhalation that sounds like a bray of high pitch, they send a warning to the herd regarding intruders.
They usually attack using their front feet and kick and spit. When alpacas are used as guard llamas for guarding sheep, their hostility towards foxes, coyotes, dogs, etc, is usually exploited.
Most of the time, alpacas can be calm, observant, intelligent, and aggressive.
When engaging in combat with other alpacas, male alpacas can be very energetic and, simultaneously, nervous when they sense any threat. They are also cautious when preying.
Training: alpacas can be trained. As long as they are not patted on the neck or head to infuriate them, alpacas can be treated as pets. It is advisable that when herding alpacas, the handler should adopt a quiet and gentle approach towards the herd to avoid exposing himself and the Alpacas to danger.
Spitting: only a few alpacas are capable of spitting. There are many reasons why alpacas spit; for instance, female alpacas spit when they don’t find a male alpaca interesting, especially if they are pregnant.
The female alpacas also spit during ovulation, triggered by increased progesterone levels.
Hygiene: alpacas use a public dung heap where they don’t feed. This act reduces the transmission of internal parasites. Compared to the females, the males have much neater dung heaps stacked in a line. When one female moves toward the dung heap and urinates, others in the herd follow suit. The excrement of alpacas is often used as garden fertilizer.
Sounds: Alpacas make varying sounds, which are listed below.
- Snorting: alpacas snort when they sense the presence of an intruder.
- Screaming: alpacas are somewhat petty and tend to scream aloud when not properly handled. Their screams can be loud. They also scream when they are under attack.
- Grumbling: grumbling in alpacas is usually done by warning fellow alpacas.
- Humming: females alpacas usually hum together with their progeny after giving birth. Humming is also used as a sign of stress or anxiety.
Reproduction: Female alpacas usually undergo induced ovulation. They usually take in after breeding once, though they sometimes have problems conceiving. Artificial insemination is costly and technically difficult but can be carried out. The males are usually ripe for mating between the age of 2-3 years for the first time. It is recommended that the young female be allowed to be bred until she has attained maturity and has reached two-thirds of her mature weight.
There is always a negative impact, such as overbreeding of young female alpacas before conception, as this results in uterine infections. It is usually difficult for alpacas to breed in the winter, but they can breed at any time of the year.
Habitat and Lifestyle
Most parts of South America house the Alpacas, and they are known to live in inclement conditions in the mountains with high altitudes. Since they are not restricted to a particular environment, it makes it easy for them to be cared for.
Diet
Alpacas mainly feed on hay, silage, and pasture grass, but some sometimes feed on protein-rich food. They can also feed on natural unfertilized grass. Alpacas need more supplements to produce body heat and warmth during winter.
