Origin
Researchers believe alpacas were developed through selective breeding that was heavily influenced by vicuñas more than 6,000 years ago. Alpacas and wild vicuñas are similar in size, wool fiber and dentition. Of all the animals that lived in South America before European colonization, llamas and their relatives, alpacas, were the most influential. Like the buffalo of the Great Plains, both species provided valuable sources of meat and hides. But unlike buffalo, alpacas and llamas were completely domesticated.
What kind of animal is an alpaca? What is the difference between an alpaca and a llama (8 photos)?
Hello friends! Half-llama, half-camel, and can live in the mountains at high altitudes... We will talk about the Alpaca animal, you will find a photo and description in this article.
Description and difference of the quadruped
What does an Alpaca look like and how is it different from a Llama? The height of this small artiodactyl is slightly more than 1 meter, but usually less, and its body weight is 50-65 kg. Animals are bred for thick, shiny and soft wool, reaching a length of up to 20 cm. The color is very different: from snow-white to coal black, but of course there are no green or blue shades. It happens that from the outside you can see beautiful patterns of white and beige hairs on the Alpaca wool.
A forked upper lip stands out on its cute, funny face, and the lower incisors of the teeth in the mouth are very strong, allowing them to “cut” any hard plant food. The hooves are slightly curved, like claws, so the animals do not trample or compact the earth, like sheep and goats, but even slightly loosen.
By crossing an Alpaca and a Llama, a person gets ideal offspring that can live well with people as pets, but unfortunately they do not produce their own offspring.
Several differences between Alpaca and Llama:
- The llama's ears are longer and resemble a banana in shape, while the alpaca's are small, like sharp spears;
- Both have camel-like faces, only the Alpaca is more flattened and “woolly”;
- The weight and height of llamas is almost twice that;
- The former are quite shy and modest, while the latter can spit and even bite when approached closely;
- Llamas prefer to live individually rather than in a herd;
- We have already talked about the wool of the former, but that of llamas is coarser.
We tried to select photos of animals in good quality.
Lifestyle in nature
What kind of animals are these, their peculiarities? They know how to “talk” to each other not only with the help of sounds, but also with special body movements: turning the head, tilting, positioning the ears and body.
They live in the high Andes of South America, where there are about 3 million individuals. In other areas, Alpacas do not thrive in the wild. But for breeding at home, the animal is exported to other countries: for example, in Australia there are about 60,000 of them, and in England - 10,000. But they cannot live in Europe and Africa.
In their homeland, Alpacas live in herds and feed on grass near the snowiest peaks, leading an active lifestyle during the day and resting at night. Their feature: the ability to breathe rarefied mountain air. They protect themselves from enemies (leopards and pumas) with their front hooves, while making sounds that warn relatives of danger. In nature, life expectancy reaches 25 years; domesticated animals live much shorter.
Warm wool, which is seven times superior in quality to, for example, sheep's, helps animals live in harsh mountain conditions. Even the fur of Merino sheep is not so warm, soft and silky. Is it possible to eat Alpaca meat? The Indians always ate them, the meat is not fatty and has no cholesterol. But it’s better not to do this; they will do more good alive.
During the breeding season, animals give birth to only one baby, although very rarely there may be two. Within an hour after birth, the baby gets to his feet and takes his first steps. For 7-8 months, the mother feeds it with her milk, and then the cubs feed themselves. In the photo they look very much like little lambs.
Video
Handsome Alpacas have been serving people for thousands of years, bringing benefits and a pleasant pastime for children and adults. And who they are and how they are useful, you learned from the article you read.
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Varieties
Photo: Laurel Thompson
There are two types of alpacas:
- Huacaya. Ninety-five percent of alpacas belong to this subspecies. Their body, legs and neck are covered with long thick hair, while their head and feet are covered with short hair. The hair grows perpendicular to the skin, giving the animal a woolly appearance.
- Suri. Their hair is silkier, grows parallel to the body and does not have curls. However, due to their finer and less dense coat, the Suri does not withstand harsh weather conditions as well.
Appearance
Alpacas are slender animals with long legs and necks, a short tail, a small head and large pointed ears. They differ from the llama in having a more rounded body and the habit of holding their tail close to the body rather than holding it straight. In addition, alpacas have soft paws that do not damage even the most delicate grass on which they graze.
The body of alpacas is covered with soft fleece, which contains virtually no guard hair. Wool can be plain or multi-colored. According to the Alpaca Owners and Breeders Association, the animals come in up to 22 colors, ranging from white and gray to black and brown.
Photo: www.harmonymeadowsalpaca.ca
Alpacas are the smallest of the domestic camels. The weight of an adult varies from 55 to 65 kg. At birth, alpacas weigh between 4.5 and 7.7 kg. The length of the head and body is from 120 to 225 cm, the length of the tail is from 15 to 25 cm, the height of the shoulders is from 90 to 130 cm.
Reproduction and lifespan
The farm animal must be fed. The second thing people care about is breeding them. When obtaining alpaca offspring, human participation is minimized. Artificial insemination methods used in other ruminants are ineffective and are practically not used. This may be due to the peculiarities of the ovulation mechanism in females. It (ovulation) occurs only after mating. The so-called induced ovulation.
Purposeful mating involves isolating a male and a female or a group of females in a separate pen. This can be done at any time of the year. Based on experience in animal breeding, the preferred period is spring or autumn.
Alpaca mother and baby
After 11.5 months, offspring appear. In one in 1000 cases it may be twins. In the rest there is one cub. He weighs 6-7 kilograms and within an hour and a half after birth he gets to his feet and is able to accompany adults. Females quickly regain their strength and after a month can move on to a new mating.
The alpaca in the photo is often depicted with a baby reclining at her feet. After six months, breastfeeding ends. The lamb becomes a teenager. By the age of one year it is indistinguishable from adults. By the age of one and a half years, young people are ready for procreation. The reproductive period lasts 15 years. The total life expectancy reaches 20 years.
Geographic range
The alpaca's native range includes the central and southern Andes from Peru to Argentina. They can be found at altitudes of up to 4,800 meters. Remains found at higher elevations close to sea level indicate that alpacas once had a wider geographic distribution. The reduction of their range began with the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors and their import of livestock.
In the 1980s, alpacas began to be exported to other countries for agricultural purposes. Currently, they can be found in countries such as the USA, New Zealand, Australia and the Netherlands. Despite the widespread rearing of alpacas outside their native territory, it has been estimated that 99% of the world's alpaca population is found in South America.
Where does alpaca live?
Under natural conditions, alpaca lives exclusively in South America, specifically in the highlands of the Andes. Nowadays, they can be found in such South American countries as Peru, Bolivia, Argentina and Chile. Moreover, the largest herds of alpacas are found in the Peruvian Highlands (800 meters above sea level), where they sometimes graze on the edge of the snow.
It is interesting that attempts have been made repeatedly to export alpacas to other countries in Europe and America, but, unfortunately, they did not take root in the natural conditions of other places.
Habitat
Alpacas prefer temperate and tropical habitats. The largest populations are found on the high Andean plateau. The local climate is harsh: the air temperature is below 0 °C at night and 16 °C during the day. Annual precipitation ranges from 400 to 700 mm. But in this semi-arid region, herbs grow well, which alpacas love to eat.
Photo: www.daysoftheyear.com
Reproduction and development
Sexual dimorphism in alpacas is insignificant. Males reach sexual maturity at approximately 2.5 years, females from 16 to 20 months. Alpacas are induced ovulators. They do not have heat cycles, so they can breed at any time of the year. This means that the physical act of reproduction is required to induce ovulation, making artificial insemination impossible.
Alpacas are a polygynous species. Dominant males form harems of 5 to 10 females. Responsible breeders study weather and pasture conditions very carefully when planning their birth schedule. The average length of pregnancy is 335 days (or about 11.5 months).
Childbirth most often occurs during the rainy season - from December to March. Females give birth to one young at a time, which is born from a standing position during daylight hours, usually from late morning to noon. Interestingly, females can become pregnant again approximately 10 days after giving birth.
Photo: Lyndell Whyte
After giving birth, alpacas do not lick their babies or touch the placenta. Males stay away from females during childbirth. Mothers watch their cubs closely, but do not approach them until they finally stand up on their own. Mothers then feed their newborns their first milk, which contains antibodies and nutrients. If the cubs have trouble finding the udder, mothers help them by changing their position.
Young alpacas grow quickly. Mothers need good nutrition to support the rapid growth of their offspring. At one year of age, the cubs already gain weight over 45 kg. They are usually weaned between 6 and 8 months of age.
Alpaca habitat and lifestyle
The ancestors of the alpaca, as established through DNA research, were vicuñas from the family of humpless camels, and llamas are their closest relatives. Their habitat is South America, highlands in the Andes.
About 3 million animals live in this territory, in the forests, mountains and on the coast. In other places, the breed does not take root in natural conditions, although animals are exported to many countries of the world for breeding and domestication; more than 60,000 alpacas live in Australia alone, and 10,000 in England. Multiple attempts to acclimatize alpacas in the nature of Europe and Africa ended unsuccessfully.
Human interest in alpacas arose in ancient times, about half a century BC. The ancient Incas began breeding animals for their possession of wool, meat and skin. Even manure was used - it became fuel. The wool of alpacas was called gold by the Incas. Today, for residents of Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, and Chile, this is an important export product. And once it was the local currency of the Incas.
Alpacas tolerate living in the mountains and harsh climatic conditions thanks to their warm and long wool, which covers them especially tightly on the sides. In terms of quality characteristics, it is seven times superior to sheep.
The alpaca animal in its ancestral territory leads a wild or semi-wild, in captivity, lifestyle. Herds of animals graze in harsh areas of the highlands, almost right next to the snow, where nothing grows except grass. Livestock breeders even sow other plants into local meadows to feed the alpacas.
Under natural conditions, alpacas live in herds . During daylight hours they are active, and at night there is a period of rest. During this time, you need to digest all the food eaten, accumulated during the day.
The animals' natural enemies are mainly pumas and leopards. If small predators attack, alpacas defend themselves with their front legs, striking the enemy and spitting. At the same time, they make sounds notifying their relatives of danger.
Social structure
Alpacas are social herd animals. Herds may not only consist of alpacas, but also include other species such as llamas, goats and sheep. Some studies indicate the existence of a hierarchical social order among alpacas.
It is noteworthy that animals feel safe only in a herd. Alpacas have strong herding instincts, so it is not recommended to have just one alpaca. To survive, they need the company of at least one other fellow.
Communication and perception
Alpacas use most of their body to communicate. A male defending his territory is characterized by a lateral position of the body, a curved neck, an upward stiff tail and ears laid back. In this position, the alpaca raises itself and points its ears towards a potential source of danger. They have excellent eyesight and hearing. If the animal feels threatened, it gives a sharp alarm signal and either runs away or goes to investigate the source of the danger.
A standing posture with ears laid back and tail and neck held high is used to demonstrate dominance. The two males stand very close to each other, spitting and jostling. Finally, a posture called submissive crouching is seen in young and low-ranking individuals. In this position, the neck is lowered to the ground and the tail hangs freely.
Vocalization
Photo: Rob Faulkner
Alpacas produce a wide range of vocalizations:
- humming is the most common sound that is produced under various circumstances, such as a disaster or a change in the environment;
- snorting is a warning signal;
- mothers use clicking sounds to communicate with their cubs;
- grumbling is produced to indicate food territoriality;
- a squeal is made when the animal is unhappy;
- Loud cries from animals cause stress to sound;
- Alpacas produce shrill alarm calls when danger arises.
Eating habits
Alpacas are strictly herbivores. In their native South America, wild herds feed on grasses from the mountain slopes and valleys of the Andes. For thousands of years, alpacas have lived in areas where grass rarely grows, so they require much less food than most animals their size. In captivity, they usually feed on a combination diet of fresh grass and low protein hay.
Alpacas do not have upper front teeth. The upper and lower incisors and lower canines of an adult male develop with age into fighting teeth or fangs, the length of which can exceed 3 cm. In females, these teeth do not develop as much as in males.
What does an alpaca eat?
The alpaca is a herbivore, and not particularly fussy about food. Their main source of food is young and fresh grass, which gives them all the necessary nutrients. In addition to grass and free grazing, alpacas can be fed in the same way as horses; they can eat hay, oats, and special food that they are fed with in the cold season, when there is not enough grass.
In addition to food, alpacas also need regular watering.
Lifespan
The lifespan of alpacas in the wild is between 5 and 10 years, while in captivity it reaches approximately 20 years. However, alpacas may not live to an old age. They can be eaten by the same predators that attack their wild relatives, that is, guanacos and vicunas. They are threatened by domestic dogs, Andean foxes, Andean condors, pumas and wild cats. In areas outside their natural range, alpacas are attacked by coyotes and wolves. Most predators prey on young, sick or old animals, as alpacas are vigilant and will defend themselves fiercely with their hooves and spit out foul-smelling stomach contents.
Alpaca vs Llama
Some similarities and differences in appearance between alpacas and llamas include:
Ears: Alpacas have short and fiery ears, while llamas have longer and banana ears. Head: The alpaca's head is shorter and blunter than that of the llama. Weight: Alpacas average about 150 pounds, while llamas are more than twice that weight. Height: Llamas are approximately 10 inches taller at the withers than alpacas. DNA: Llamas are descended from guanacos and alpacas are descended from vicuñas, both wild camel-like mammals. Uses: Alpacas are prized for their soft, warm, and fire-resistant wool, while llamas are primarily used as pack animals and guards for domestic flocks such as sheep. Personality: Alpacas are more timid than llamas.
Impact on ecosystems
Photo: Edwin Leung
Due to some of their morphological characteristics, such as soft soles and light weight, South American alpacas do not compact the soil or destroy vegetation in their habitat. In addition, they feed on the natural plants and grasses of the ecosystem. In short, these animals are ideal livestock for low-impact grazing.
Economic importance for people
As in ancient times, alpacas are important to the Andean peoples as a valuable source of wool and meat. During the Inca civilization, wearing alpaca wool robes was a benefit of the nobility and royalty.
Alpaca fiber is thin, light and soft. It has a cellular structure similar to wool, but is more elastic and durable than merino wool. Alpaca fiber has high insulating properties and is resistant to precipitation. It can absorb up to 15% of environmental humidity without changing its structure. In addition, the fiber is warmer and stronger than wool. It is used in sleeping bags and thin coat linings. Alpaca fiber is sometimes combined with other fibers to make fabrics for dresses, light suits, and other clothing items.
Photo: Lazy K Ranch
Animals are usually shorn once a year. Suri produces fine wool weighing about 3 kg, while Huacaya produces coarser wool weighing about 2.5 kg. Hair growth per year is almost 15 cm in Huacaya and 30 cm in Suri. The length of individual fibers at the time of cutting is approximately 10 to 20 cm.
Here are some other foods you can get from alpacas:
- meat. It has a higher protein content and lower fat content than meat from cows or sheep. In addition, the meat of South American alpacas cannot spread diseases such as trichinosis or cysticercosis, which usually occur when eating pork or wild animal meat.
- leather. It is used to make rugs, tapestries, wallets, shoes, toys and clothing.
- manure. It is used as fertilizer and fuel.
Alpacas are of great importance to South American pastoralists. They are raised mainly in poor farming communities.
Distinctive features of alpaca
Alpacas are extremely thin. They are not raised for meat because they simply don't have any. These animals are truly valuable only for their elite wool, which, among other things, is very durable and hypoallergenic. Products made from alpaca wool are characterized by excellent water resistance and the ability to retain heat even at sub-zero temperatures.
Scientists compare the wool's protection to the heat retention properties of the famous Canada goose down. As you can see, alpacas are unusual pets. Growing them is not particularly difficult, but this species will never take root in ordinary flat terrain, where there is no unique climate of the mountains, cold nights and lush grass grown on steep slopes.
