An alpaca is a South American species of camelid domesticated in homes for various reasons. It has close resemblance to llamas. Suri and Huacaya are the two breeds of alpaca. Although llamas and alpacas resemble, alpacas are not beasts of burden. The breeding of alpacas in the United States is done by very many breeders. Any alpaca breeder near Denver needs to know the vital facts highlighted below about alpacas.
Anyone who breeds alpacas should find the tips in this writing very useful. To begin with, alpacas have been domesticated for several thousands of years. The images of the animals are used in art of the Moche people of Northern Peru. Alpacas are known for not living in the wild. The wild ancestor of alpacas, which is also its closest relative is the vicuna. Both species have their origin in South America.
Alpacas fall under a group of animals called camelids. Other animals in that category are camels, vicuna, and llamas. Of all camelids, the fiber of vicuna and alpacas is the most valuable. The high value of the fiber from alpaca is because of high quality and quantity. On the contrary, fiber of vicunas is valuable because it is soft, fine, 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.
Alpacas make different sounds depending on the situation. The high-pitched whine is made when they sense danger. Wark noise is made when they spot a strange animal like a cat or when they are excited. They signal submissive behavior by clicking or clucking. They tell others of their presence of content by humming. Males scream in a bird-like sound when they fight.
Females need between 10-24 months to reach age of maturity. Conversely, males take a slightly longer time to mature. They need two to three years. It takes 11.5 months for the female to give birth to a young one and they rarely produce twins. Females are ready for after 2 weeks only.
Anyone who breeds alpacas should find the tips in this writing very useful. To begin with, alpacas have been domesticated for several thousands of years. The images of the animals are used in art of the Moche people of Northern Peru. Alpacas are known for not living in the wild. The wild ancestor of alpacas, which is also its closest relative is the vicuna. Both species have their origin in South America.
Alpacas fall under a group of animals called camelids. Other animals in that category are camels, vicuna, and llamas. Of all camelids, the fiber of vicuna and alpacas is the most valuable. The high value of the fiber from alpaca is because of high quality and quantity. On the contrary, fiber of vicunas is valuable because it is soft, fine, 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.
Alpacas make different sounds depending on the situation. The high-pitched whine is made when they sense danger. Wark noise is made when they spot a strange animal like a cat or when they are excited. They signal submissive behavior by clicking or clucking. They tell others of their presence of content by humming. Males scream in a bird-like sound when they fight.
Females need between 10-24 months to reach age of maturity. Conversely, males take a slightly longer time to mature. They need two to three years. It takes 11.5 months for the female to give birth to a young one and they rarely produce twins. Females are ready for after 2 weeks only.
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