ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT AN ALPACA
An Alpaca (Vicugna pacos) is a domesticated species of South American camelid. It resembles a small llama in appearance. Alpacas are kept in herds to graze on the level heights of the Andes of southern Peru, northern Bolivia, Ecuador, and northern Chile at an altitude of 3 500m to 5,000m above sea level, throughout the year. Alpacas are considerably smaller than llamas, and unlike llamas, they were not bred to be beasts of burden, but were bred specifically for their fiber. Alpaca fiber is used for making knitted and woven items, similar to wool. These items include blankets, sweaters, hats, gloves, scarves, a wide variety of textiles and ponchos in South America, and sweaters, socks, coats and bedding in other parts of the world.
An adult alpaca generally is between 81 and 99 cm in height at the withers. They usually weigh between 48 and 84 kg .
Alpacas have been domesticated for thousands of years. The Moche people of northern Peru often used alpaca images in their art. There are no known wild alpacas, and its closest living relative, the vicuña (also native to South America), are believed to be the wild ancestor of the alpaca. The alpaca is larger than the vicuña, but smaller than the other camelid species.
Alpacas are very social animals and communicate to each other with humming noises, body and head movements.
The alpaca gestation period is eleven and a half months plus or minus about 3weeks. The mothers are ready (and keen) for re-mating 3 weeks after giving birth and thus are virtually continually pregnant. Theoretically one can get one offspring a year, however it is more common to have 3 offspring per 4 year period. Male alpacas reach sexual maturity at about 2 1/2 years of age. Females are first bred from 12 months of age, or having reached a weight of 40kg. Like other South American camelids, alpacas do not have a heat (estrus) cycle and can be bred any time of year. Birthing is usually in the morning.
The alpaca’s feet are padded and leave even the most delicate terrain undamaged as it browses on native grasses.
The alpaca is a modified ruminant with a three- compartment stomach. It converts grass and hay to energy very efficiently, eating less than other farm animals.
Its camelid ancestry allows the alpaca to thrive without consuming very much water, although an abundant, fresh water supply is necessary.
A herd of alpacas consolidates its feces in one or two spots in the pasture, thereby controlling the spread of parasites, and making it easy to collect and compost for fertilizer.
Alpacas are too small to be used as pack animals. Instead, they are bred exclusively for their fiber.
Alpacas are social herd animals that live in family groups consisting of a territorial alpha male, females and their young. Alpacas warn the herd about intruders by making sharp, noisy inhalations that sound like a high-pitched bray. The herd may attack smaller predators with their front feet, and can spit and kick.