The alpaca (Vicugna pacos) is a species of South American camelid descended from the vicuña.

It is
similar to, and often confused with, the llama. However, alpacas are often noticeably smaller than
llamas. The two animals are closely related and can successfully cross-breed. Alpacas and llamas are
related to the guanaco. There are two breeds of alpaca: the Suri alpaca and the Huacaya alpaca.

Alpacas are kept in herds that graze on the level heights of the Andes of Southern Peru, Western Bolivia,
Ecuador, and Northern Chile at an altitude of 3,500 to 5,000 metres (11,000 to 16,000 feet) above sea
level.[1] 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, and sweaters, socks, coats and bedding in other
parts of the world. The fiber comes in more than 52 natural colors as classified in Peru, 12 as classified in
Australia, and 16 as classified in the United States.

Alpacas communicate through body language. The most common is spitting when they are in distress,
fearful, or mean to show dominance.[2] Male alpacas are more aggressive than females, and tend to
establish dominance of their herd group. In some cases, alpha males will immobilize the head and neck
of a weaker or challenging male in order to show their strength and dominance.

In the textile industry, "alpaca" primarily refers to the hair of Peruvian alpacas, but more broadly it
refers to a style of fabric originally made from alpaca hair, such as mohair, Icelandic sheep wool, or even
high-quality wool from other breeds of sheep. In trade, distinctions are made between alpacas and the
several styles of mohair and luster.[3]

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 84 kilograms (106 and 185 pounds).

Contents

• 1 Background

o 1.1 Origin and domestication

• 2 Breeds

• 3 Behavior

o 3.1 Training

o 3.2 Spitting

o 3.3 Hygiene

o 3.4 Sounds

o 3.5 Reproduction

• 4 Habitat and lifestyle

• 5 Population
• 6 Diet

o 6.1 Digestion

o 6.2 Poisonous plants

• 7 Fiber

• 8 Prices

• 9 Livestock

• 10 Cultural presence

• 11 See also

• 12 References

• 13 External links

Background

Guanacos (wild parent species of llamas) near Torres del Paine, Chile

The relationship between alpacas and vicuñas was disputed for many years. In the 18th and 19th
centuries, the four South American lamoid species were assigned scientific names. At that time, the
alpaca was assumed to be descended from the llama, ignoring similarities in size, fleece and dentition
between the alpaca and the vicuña. Classification was complicated by the fact that all four species of
South American camelid can interbreed and produce fertile offspring.[4] The advent of DNA technology
made a more accurate classification possible.

In 2001, the alpaca genus classification changed from Lama pacos to Vicugna pacos, following the
presentation of a paper[5] on work by Miranda Kadwell et al. on alpaca DNA to the Royal Society
showing the alpaca is descended from the vicuña, not the guanaco.

Origin and domestication

Alpacas were domesticated thousands of years ago. The Moche people of Northern Peru often used
alpaca images in their art.[6] There are no known wild alpacas, and its closest living relative, the vicuña
(also native to South America), is the wild ancestor of the alpaca.

The family Camelidae first appeared in Americas 40–45 million years ago, during the Eocene period,
from the common ancestor, Protylopus. The descendants divided into Camelini and Lamini tribes, taking
different migratory patterns to Asia and South America, respectively. Although the camelids became
extinct in North America around 3 million years ago, it flourished in the South with the species we see
today.[7] It was not until 2–5 million years ago, during the Pliocene, that the genus Hemiauchenia of the
tribe Lamini split into Palaeolama and Lama; the latter would then split again into Lama and Vicugna
upon migrating down to South America.
Remains of vicuña and guanaco have been found throughout Peru for around 12,000 years. Their
domesticated counterparts, the llama and alpacas, have been found mummified in the Moquegua
valley, in the south of Peru, dating back 900 to 1000 years. Mummies found in this region show two
breeds of alpacas. More precise analysis of bone and teeth of these mummies has demonstrated that
alpacas were domesticated from the Vicugna vicugna. Other research, considering the behavioral and
morphological characteristics of alpacas and their wild counterparts, seems to indicate that alpacas
could find their origins in Lama guanicoe as well as Vicugna vicugna, or even a hybrid of both.

Genetic analysis shows a different picture of the origins of the alpaca. Analysis of mitochondrial DNA
shows that most alpacas have guanaco mtDNA, and many also have vicuña mtDNA. But microsatellite
data shows that alpaca DNA is much more similar to vicuña DNA than to guanaco DNA. This suggests
that alpacas are descendants of the Vicugna vicugna, not of the Lama guanicoe. The discrepancy with
mtDNA seems to be a result of the fact that mtDNA is only transmitted by the mother, and recent
husbandry practices have caused hybridization between llamas (which primarily carry guanaco DNA) and
alpacas. To the extent that many of today's domestic alpacas are the result of male alpacas bred to
female llamas, this would explain the mtDNA consistent with guanacos. This situation has led to
attempts to reclassify the alpaca as Vicugna pacos.[5]

Breeds

The alpaca comes in two breeds, Suri and Huacaya, based on their fibers rather than scientific or
European classifications.

Alpaca skeleton, with alpaca and guanaco skull above. (Museum of Osteology)

Huacaya alpacas are the most commonly found, constituting about 90% of the population.[8] The
Huacaya alpaca is thought to have originated in post-colonial Peru. This is due to their thicker fleece
which makes them more suited to survive in the higher altitudes of the Andes after being pushed into
the highlands of Peru after the arrival of the Spanish.[9][better source needed]

Suri alpacas represent a smaller portion of the total alpaca population, around 10%.[8] They are thought
to have been more prevalent in pre-Columbian Peru since they could be kept at a lower altitude where a
thicker fleece was not needed for harsh weather conditions.[9][better source needed]

Behavior

Alpaca near a farm

Closeup of an alpaca's face

Alpacas are social herd animals that live in family groups, consisting of a territorial alpha male, females,
and their young ones. 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. Their aggression towards members of the canid family (coyotes, foxes, dogs etc.) is exploited
when alpacas are used as guard llamas for guarding sheep.[10]

Alpacas can sometimes be aggressive, but they can also be very gentle, intelligent, and extremely
observant. For the most part, alpacas are very quiet, but male alpacas are more energetic when they get
involved in fighting with other alpacas.[11] When they prey, they are cautious but also nervous when
they feel any type of threat. They can feel threatened when a person or another alpaca comes up from
behind them.[12][better source needed]

Alpacas set their own boundaries of "personal space" within their families and groups.[13] They make a
hierarchy in some sense, and each alpaca is aware of the dominant animals in each group.[11] Body
language is the key to their communication. It helps to maintain their order. One example of their body
communication includes a pose named broadside, where their ears are pulled back and they stand
sideways. This pose is used when male alpacas are defending their territory.[2]

When they are young, they tend to follow larger objects and to sit near or under them. An example of
this is a baby alpaca with its mother. This can also apply when an alpaca passes by an older alpaca.[13]

Training

Alpacas are often very trainable and will usually respond to reward, most commonly in the form of food.
They are able to be petted without getting agitated although this is usually only when the animal is not
being patted around the head or neck. Alpacas are usually quite easy to herd; even in large groups.
Although when being herded, it is recommended that the handler approaches the animals slowly and
quietly, not doing this can result in danger for both the animals and the handler.[14]

Alpaca and llamas have started showing up in U.S. nursing homes and hospitals as trained, certified
therapy animals. The Mayo Clinic says animal-assisted therapy can reduce pain, depression, anxiety, and
fatigue. This type of animal therapy is growing in popularity, and there are several organizations
throughout the United States that participate. [15]

Spitting

Not all alpacas spit, but all are capable of doing so. "Spit" is somewhat euphemistic; occasionally the
projectile contains only air and a little saliva, although alpacas commonly bring up acidic stomach
contents (generally a green, grassy mix) and project it onto their chosen targets. Spitting is mostly
reserved for other alpacas, but an alpaca will also occasionally spit at a human.

Spitting can result in what is called "sour mouth". Sour mouth is characterized by a loose-hanging lower
lip and a gaping mouth.[citation needed]

Alpacas can spit for several reasons. A female alpaca spits when she is not interested in a male alpaca,
typically when she thinks that she is already impregnated. Both sexes of alpaca keep others away from
their food, or anything they have their eyes on. Most give a slight warning before spitting by blowing air
out and raising their heads, giving their ears a "pinned" appearance.[13]

Alpacas can spit up to ten feet if they need to. For example, if another animal does not back off, the
alpaca will throw up its stomach contents, resulting in a lot of spit.[16]
Some signs of stress which can lead to their spitting habits include: humming, a wrinkle under their eye,
drooling, rapid breathing, and stomping their feet. When alpacas show any sign of interest or alertness,
they tend to sniff their surroundings, watch closely, or stand quietly in place and stare.[16]

When it comes to reproduction, they spit because it is a response triggered by the progesterone levels
being increased, which is associated with ovulation.[17]

Hygiene

Alpacas use a communal dung pile,[18] where they do not graze. This behaviour tends to limit the
spread of internal parasites. Generally, males have much tidier, and fewer dung piles than females,
which tend to stand in a line and all go at once. One female approaches the dung pile and begins to
urinate and/or defecate, and the rest of the herd often follows. Alpaca waste is collected and used as
garden fertilizer or even natural fertilizer.[2]

Because of their preference for using a dung pile, some alpacas have been successfully house-trained.
[citation needed]

Alpacas develop dental hygiene problems which affect their eating and behavior. Warning signs include
protracted chewing while eating, or food spilling out of their mouths. Poor body condition and sunken
cheeks are also telltales of dental problems.