Alpacas are part of the camelid family that includes llamas, guanacos, and vicuñas of South America; their closest living relative in the wild is the vicuña because of similar size and dentition.
ORIGIN:
South America - the Andes Mountains of Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, and Chile.
HABITAT:
Alpacas are found in higher-altitude grasslands in the Andean high plateau preferably near wet areas.
HEIGHT/WEIGHT:
121 - 143 lbs
Height: 47 - 88 inches
DIET:
Alpacas are herbivores and eat a variety of grasses, leaves, wood, bark or stems.
PREDATORS:
Predators are domestic dogs, Andean foxes, Andean condors, pumas, colocolos, Andean mountain cats, coyotes and wolves.
NATURAL DEFENSES:
Alpacas will defend themselves with their hooves and by spitting their stomach contents into the face of a predator.
REPRODUCTION:
After a gestation of 11 – 11.5 months a single offspring is born called a cria.
THREATS:
There is no recognized threat to alpacas.
LIFE EXPECTANCY:
The longevity of an Alpaca is 20 years in captivity and 5 to 10 years in the wild.
Yes, Alpacas engage in spitting when they are in distress, fearful, or to show dominance. |
No, Alpacas are a clean and industrious animal and would never be so gross. |
