Article Published in October, 2001 edition of Seneca Park Zoo Docent Newsletter
An Introduction to Alpacas The first question I am usually asked when I tell people that we raise alpacas is "What is an alpaca?"
The easiest (and most common) way to answer that question is that alpacas are like 'small llamas'. Llamas are undoubtedly the most familiar of four closely related species of the camelid
family, also including the domesticated alpaca and their wild 'cousins' vicunas and guanacos. But to describe the alpaca as a 'small llama' is unfair to these unique and beautiful animals as they are a species in their own right – not really "small anythings". So, let's see if I can come up with something that does them justice!
The first known records of alpacas are in drawings on cave walls in the Andean Mountains; domesticated for over 5000 years, they are kind of the 'domestic cattle' of South America, perhaps the world's first domestic
animal. In the times of the Andean Indians and the Incas alpacas were considered to be legal tender because of their valuable fleece. The heaviest concentration of alpacas today is in the Altiplano – the high altitude
regions of southern Peru, Bolivia and Chile. Alpacas were first imported into the USA in 1984, although fossil records indicate that 40 million years ago alpaca-like animals were indigenous to Northern America. There are
two types of alpaca – the huacaya (pronounced wah–kay–ya), and the suri (pronounced sir-ee). The main difference between the two is in the appearance of their fiber. The suri has fine fiber that is quite straight and
appears to hang in dreadlocks from their body. The huacaya has very crimpy fiber, which gives them a wooly and round appearance. Both types come in a wide variety of natural colors – 22 different ones in fact - ranging from
bright white to true black with all shades of brown and gray. An alpaca's lifespan is around 20 years. They stand around 36" tall at the withers and weigh between 100 and 175lbs. Alpacas have no upper teeth – they
have lower teeth and an upper dental pad - and do not bite. They have soft, padded, earth-friendly feet, and a non-aggressive personality. They are pseudo-ruminants with a three chambered stomach – their diet consists mainly
of grass, from which they are extremely efficient at extracting maximum nutrients. Alpacas are very social animals – naturally living in herds. Communication between alpacas is achieved through body posture – particularly
ear and tail position. They also communicate through a variety of humming sounds which almost sound like a meditative chant. Occasionally they spit when threatened, (a fine spray consisting of partially digested
grass). Usual causes for this defensive behavior are during mating/breeding and protection of infants. Alpacas can often be caught in group-play sessions such as 'sproinging' – this takes place usually around dusk and
the whole herd will join in and spring around with all four feet together. Alpacas are induced ovulators, - they do not have an estrous period, the act of mating itself causes the female to produce an egg. They breed in a
very unique position – the female lies down in a position called 'kush' (the legs are folded under the body and the animal is supported on it's 'knees'). The male will then mount from behind and the whole process, which can
last up to half an hour, takes place in this position. The gestation period in alpacas is 11 – 12 months at the end of which the mother will give birth to a single baby (twins are extremely rare). A baby alpaca is called a
cria (pronounced cree-a), which comes from the Spanish word for 'creation'. About two weeks after giving birth the female is ready to breed again. Once they reach breeding age (around 18 months), female alpacas
spend the rest of their lives in some stage of pregnancy. Hopefully I have answered that original question "What is an alpaca?" in a manner befitting the wonderful animals that they are. There is so much more
to say about them - the list of characteristics, behaviors and adaptations that make them unique and amazing is endless. If you have never had the pleasure of meeting an alpaca face to face you are missing a treat!
By Helen Dishaw
Rush, New York, USA | info@alpacahome.com | (585) 533-2285
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2002, East River Alpacas. All rights reserved.