Alpaca

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alpacas, but more broadly it refers to a style of fabric originally made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).

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.

Sounds
Suri alpacas

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.[2]

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.

Reproduction

Females are induced ovulators;[19] the act of mating and the presence
of semen causes them to ovulate. Females usually conceive after just
one breeding, but occasionally do have trouble conceiving. Artificial
insemination is technically difficult, expensive and not common, but it
can be accomplished. Embryo transfer is more widespread.

A male is usually ready to mate for the first time between two and
three years of age. It is not advisable to allow a young female to be
bred until she is mature and has reached two-thirds of her mature
weight. Over-breeding a young female before conception is possibly a
common cause of uterine infections. As the age of maturation varies
greatly between individuals, it is usually recommended that novice
breeders wait until females are 18 months of age or older before
initiating breeding.[20]

Alpacas can breed at any time but it is more difficult to breed in the
winter. Most breed during autumn or late spring.[citation needed] The
most popular way to have alpacas mate is pen mating. Pen mating is
when they move both the female and the desired male into a pen.
Another way is paddock mating where one male alpaca is let loose in
the paddock with several female alpacas.[citation needed]

The gestation period is, on an average, 11.5 months, and usually results
in a single offspring, or cria. Twins are rare, occurring about once per
1000 deliveries.[21] Cria are generally between 15 and 19 pounds, and
are standing 30 to 90 minutes after birth.[22] After a female gives birth,
she is generally receptive to breeding again after about two weeks.
Crias may be weaned through human intervention at about six months
old and 60 pounds, but many breeders prefer to allow the female to
decide when to wean her offspring; they can be weaned earlier or later
depending on their size and emotional maturity.

The average lifespan of an alpaca is between 15–20 years, and the

longest-lived alpaca on record is 27 years.[23]