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.
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.
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 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.
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 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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If you are in need of information about an Alpaca breeder near Denver, locals can come to our web pages online here today. Additional details are available at http://www.ranchoalamogordoalpacas.com now.
This article collected, selected and written by: Author Van Hoc
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