 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
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!
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!
