| "A dream you dream together is reality." |
- John Lennon
Just what is an Alpaca?
What is this strange looking creature? Alpacas are members of the camelid
family. They are originally from the South American countries of Peru, Bolivia,
and Chile. Alpacas were bred down in domesticated form from the vicuña,
which is also native to South America; and they have since been domesticated
for thousands of years. They are closely related to llamas, which are
descended from the guanaco.
There are two types of alpaca – Huacaya and Suri. Huacaya have dense, crimpy
fiber and have a teddy-bear like appearance. Suri have long silky pencil-like
fiber that looks like dreadlocks.
Alpacas are social herd animals and should always be kept with others of their
kind. They are gentle, elegant, inquisitive, intelligent and observant. Alpacas
are prey animals so they are cautious and nervous if they feel threatened.
They like having their own space and do not like an unfamiliar alpaca or human
getting close, especially from behind. But then again, most of us are like that,
aren’t we?
We are often asked, “Don’t they SPIT?” The answer is yes. Alpacas can and
do spit, but not very often at humans (unless you are my husband!!) When an
alpaca feels scared or threatened, they will toss their head back and give a
warning “puff” which is usually just air and a little spit. However, should you
not head this warning, they will let out a full blown “spit” which is nasty,
green, smelly, gooey, and something you just don’t want to encounter. Most of
the time, spitting is reserved for other alpacas. They will use this lovely
social technique during feeding time or to say “stay away from me or my
baby.” Of course, some alpacas will spit when looked at, others will never spit
— their personalities are all so individualized that there is no hard and fast
rule about them in terms of social behavior. We have one who while she is
pregnant will spit at anyone and everyone; and then we have another who we
have never seen even attempt to spit! You just never can tell!
family. They are originally from the South American countries of Peru, Bolivia,
and Chile. Alpacas were bred down in domesticated form from the vicuña,
which is also native to South America; and they have since been domesticated
for thousands of years. They are closely related to llamas, which are
descended from the guanaco.
There are two types of alpaca – Huacaya and Suri. Huacaya have dense, crimpy
fiber and have a teddy-bear like appearance. Suri have long silky pencil-like
fiber that looks like dreadlocks.
Alpacas are social herd animals and should always be kept with others of their
kind. They are gentle, elegant, inquisitive, intelligent and observant. Alpacas
are prey animals so they are cautious and nervous if they feel threatened.
They like having their own space and do not like an unfamiliar alpaca or human
getting close, especially from behind. But then again, most of us are like that,
aren’t we?
We are often asked, “Don’t they SPIT?” The answer is yes. Alpacas can and
do spit, but not very often at humans (unless you are my husband!!) When an
alpaca feels scared or threatened, they will toss their head back and give a
warning “puff” which is usually just air and a little spit. However, should you
not head this warning, they will let out a full blown “spit” which is nasty,
green, smelly, gooey, and something you just don’t want to encounter. Most of
the time, spitting is reserved for other alpacas. They will use this lovely
social technique during feeding time or to say “stay away from me or my
baby.” Of course, some alpacas will spit when looked at, others will never spit
— their personalities are all so individualized that there is no hard and fast
rule about them in terms of social behavior. We have one who while she is
pregnant will spit at anyone and everyone; and then we have another who we
have never seen even attempt to spit! You just never can tell!
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