History of... Alpaca

Name:
Alpaca

Scientific Name:
Vicugna pacos

Family:
Camelidae

Conservation Status:
Domesticated

Habitation:
Alpacas inhabit marshy mountainous areas

Global Location:
Alpacas are native to Peru, but can be found throughout the globe in captivity.

Discovery:
The oldest record of alpacas is approximately 3500 B.C.

There are two breeds of alpaca: The Suri alpaca and the Huacaya alpaca. The Huacaya alpaca has a thicker fleece, or fibre as it is known as.

The average lifespan of an alpaca is between 15 and 20 years, and the longest-lived alpaca on record is 27 years.

An adult alpaca generally is between 81 and 99 centimetres (32 and 39 inches) in height at the shoulders (withers). They usually weigh between 48 and 90 kilograms (106 and 198 pounds).

Alpacas are considerably smaller than llamas, and unlike llamas, they were not bred to be working animals, but were bred specifically for their fiber. Alpaca fiber is used for making knitted and woven items, similar to sheep's wool. These items include blankets, sweaters, hats, gloves, scarves, a wide variety of textiles, and ponchos, in South America, as well as sweaters, socks, coats, and bedding in other parts of the world. The fiber comes in more than 52 natural colours.

Alpacas use a communal dung pile where they do not graze. This behaviour tends to limit the spread of parasites. Alpaca waste is collected and used as garden fertilizer or even natural fertilizer. Due to their preference for using a dung pile for excreting bodily waste, some alpacas have been successfully house-trained.

Alpacas can breed at any time throughout the year. The gestation period is around 11.5 months, and usually results in a single offspring, or cria. Twins are rare. Cria are usually between 15 and 19 pounds, and are standing 30 to 90 minutes after birth. Crias may be weaned through human intervention at about six months old and 60 pounds, but many prefer to allow the female to decide when to wean her offspring

They are easy to care for since they are not limited to a specific type of environment.

Alpacas make a variety of sounds:
Humming: When alpacas are born, the mother and baby hum constantly. They also hum as a sign of distress, especially when they are separated from their herd. Alpacas may also hum when curious, happy, worried or cautious.

Snorting: Alpacas snort when another alpaca is invading its space.

Grumbling: Alpacas grumble to warn each other. For example, when one is invading another's personal space, it sounds like gurgling.

Clucking: Similar to a hen's cluck, alpacas cluck when a mother is concerned for her cria. Male alpacas cluck to signal friendly behavior.

Screaming: Their screams are extremely deafening and loud. They will scream when they are not handled correctly or when they are being attacked by a potential enemy.

Screeching: A bird-like cry, presumably intended to terrify the opponent. This sound is typically used by male alpacas when they are in a fight over dominance. When a female screeches, it is more of a growl when she is angry.