Timber Ridge Alpaca Acres Traditional Cache

Alpacas are kept in herds that graze on the level heights of the
Andes of southern Peru, northern Bolivia, Ecuador, and northern
Chile at an altitude of 3,500 m (11,500 ft) to 5,000 m (16,000 ft)
above sea-level, throughout the year.[1] Alpacas are considerably
smaller than llamas, and unlike llamas, alpacas were not bred to be
beasts of burden but were bred specifically for their fiber. Alpaca
fiber is used for making knitted and woven items, similar to 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.[2]

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fabric originally made from alpaca hair but now often made from
similar fibers, such as mohair, Icelandic sheep wool, or even
high-quality English wool.[citation needed] In trade, distinctions
are made between alpacas and the several styles of mohair and
luster.

Alpacas have been domesticated for thousands of years. The Moche
people of northern Peru often used alpaca images in their art.[3]
There are no known wild alpacas, though its closest living
relative, the vicuña (also native to South America), are believed
to be the wild ancestor of the alpaca.[4] The alpaca is larger than
the vicuña, but smaller than the other camelid species.

Along with camels and llamas, alpacas are classified as
camelids. Of the various camelid species, the alpaca and vicuña are
the most valuable fiber-bearing animals: the alpaca because of the
quality and quantity of its fiber, and the vicuña because of the
softness, fineness and quality of its coat.

Alpacas are too small to be used as pack animals. Instead, they
are bred exclusively for their fiber and meat. Alpaca meat was once
considered a delicacy by Andean inhabitants. Because of the high
price commanded by alpaca on the growing North American alpaca
market, illegal alpaca smuggling has become a growing
problem.[5]

Alpacas and llamas can successfully cross-breed. The resulting
offspring are called huarizo, which are valued for their unique
fleece and gentle dispositions.

Behaviour

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.
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.

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 target. Spitting is mostly reserved for other alpacas,
but an alpaca will occasionally spit at a human.

For alpacas, spitting results in what is called "sour mouth".
Sour mouth is characterized by a loose-hanging lower lip and a
gaping mouth. This is caused by the stomach acids and unpleasant
taste of the contents as they pass out of the mouth.

Physical contact

Most alpacas do not like being grabbed. Some alpacas tolerate being
stroked or petted anywhere on their bodies, although many do not
like their feet, lower legs, and especially their abdomen touched
or handled.

A Bolivian man and his alpaca

Hygiene

Alpacas use a communal dung pile, 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 who 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.

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

Sounds

Alpacas make a variety of sounds. When they are in danger, they
make a high-pitched, shrieking whine. Some breeds are known to make
a "wark" noise when excited. Strange dogs—and even
cats—can trigger this reaction. To signal friendly or
submissive behavior, alpacas "cluck," or "click" a sound possibly
generated by suction on the soft palate, or possibly in the nasal
cavity.

Individuals vary, but most alpacas generally make a humming
sound. Hums are often comfort noises, letting the other alpacas
know they are present and content. The humming can take on many
inflections and meanings.

When males fight they scream a warbling bird-like cry,
presumably intended to terrify the opponent.

Reproduction

Females are "induced ovulators"; the act of mating and the presence
of semen causes them to ovulate. Females usually conceive after
just one breeding, but occasionally do have troubles conceiving.
Artificial insemination is technically difficult, but it can be
accomplished. Alpacas conceived from artificial insemination are
not registerable with the Alpaca Registry.[6]

A male is usually ready to mate for the first time between one
and three years of age. A female alpaca may fully mature
(physically and mentally) between 12-24 months. It is not advisable
to allow a young female to be bred until she is mature, as
over-breeding a young female, before conception is possible, is 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.

The gestation period is 345 ± 15 days, and usually results in a
single offspring, or cria. Twins are rare, occurring about once per
1000 deliveries. 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 6 months and 60 pounds,
but many breeders prefer to allow the female to decide when to wean
her offspring. Offspring can be weaned earlier or later depending
on their size and emotional maturity.

Alpacas generally live for up to 20 years.