An alpaca refers to a species of South American camelid that is usually domesticated. It is close in resemblance to small llamas. Usually, two different breeds of alpaca exist, that is, Huacaya and Suri. Although these animals resemble llamas in appearance, they are smaller and are not beasts of burden like llamas. There are many people who breed alpacas in the United States. To become an alpaca breeder near Denver, it is vital to understand all facts about these animals.
The information in this article is important for any breeder of alpacas. First, domestication of alpacas stretches thousands of years back. Moche people of Northern parts of Peru used images of the animals in their art. No species of alpacas lives in the wild. Vicuna is the closest relative of alpacas and it is considered to be its wild ancestor. South America is its place of origin.
Alpacas are classified as camelid together with vicuna, llamas, and camels among many others. Alpacas and vicunas have the most valuable animal fibers among all the various species of camelids. The fiber in alpacas is valuable because it has high quality and is available in larger quantities. On the other hand, fiber in vicunas is valuable because of its fineness, softness, and high quality.
Alpacas and vicunas are among the smallest animals of the camelid species. The small size prevents breeders from breeding alpacas to be used as pack animals. As such, they are bred solely for meat and fiber. The meat used to be a delicacy among Andean inhabitants. The market for alpaca meat is growing at a high rate in North America and the price is usually very high. That has led to a smuggling problem of the animals.
Alpacas are very social. They herd in groups composing of young ones, females and alpha males who are also territorial. Warning of others about an intruder is done in a sharp, noisy inhalation made in quick succession. Smaller predators usually attacked by herds. Attacks entail kicking and spitting. The canid family is shown a lot of aggression by alpacas, something that some breeders often exploit in using alpacas in guarding sheep.
Alpacas commonly use communal dung piles. Dung piles are located away from grazing sites. Communal dung piles help in reducing the spreading of internal parasites. Males have fewer dung piles in comparison to females, which makes them tidier. House-training is often done by some breeders to exploit the tendency of using a dung pile.
Sounds produced by alpacas vary depending on various situations. When terrified or in danger, they make a high-pitched whine. They make a wark noise when they are excited or when they spot a strange cat or animal. Clucking or clicking is used in signaling submissive behavior. Alpacas also hum commonly to indicate to others that they are presence or content. When fighting, males produce bird-like screams.
Females take between 10-24 months to mature. On the other hand, males only become ready to start mating after a period of between 2-3 years. Females take 11.5 months to give birth and once they do that, they are ready for breeding again in two week. Twins are very rare in alpacas.
The information in this article is important for any breeder of alpacas. First, domestication of alpacas stretches thousands of years back. Moche people of Northern parts of Peru used images of the animals in their art. No species of alpacas lives in the wild. Vicuna is the closest relative of alpacas and it is considered to be its wild ancestor. South America is its place of origin.
Alpacas are classified as camelid together with vicuna, llamas, and camels among many others. Alpacas and vicunas have the most valuable animal fibers among all the various species of camelids. The fiber in alpacas is valuable because it has high quality and is available in larger quantities. On the other hand, fiber in vicunas is valuable because of its fineness, softness, and high quality.
Alpacas and vicunas are among the smallest animals of the camelid species. The small size prevents breeders from breeding alpacas to be used as pack animals. As such, they are bred solely for meat and fiber. The meat used to be a delicacy among Andean inhabitants. The market for alpaca meat is growing at a high rate in North America and the price is usually very high. That has led to a smuggling problem of the animals.
Alpacas are very social. They herd in groups composing of young ones, females and alpha males who are also territorial. Warning of others about an intruder is done in a sharp, noisy inhalation made in quick succession. Smaller predators usually attacked by herds. Attacks entail kicking and spitting. The canid family is shown a lot of aggression by alpacas, something that some breeders often exploit in using alpacas in guarding sheep.
Alpacas commonly use communal dung piles. Dung piles are located away from grazing sites. Communal dung piles help in reducing the spreading of internal parasites. Males have fewer dung piles in comparison to females, which makes them tidier. House-training is often done by some breeders to exploit the tendency of using a dung pile.
Sounds produced by alpacas vary depending on various situations. When terrified or in danger, they make a high-pitched whine. They make a wark noise when they are excited or when they spot a strange cat or animal. Clucking or clicking is used in signaling submissive behavior. Alpacas also hum commonly to indicate to others that they are presence or content. When fighting, males produce bird-like screams.
Females take between 10-24 months to mature. On the other hand, males only become ready to start mating after a period of between 2-3 years. Females take 11.5 months to give birth and once they do that, they are ready for breeding again in two week. Twins are very rare in alpacas.
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