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.
Many animals are classified as camelids and vicunas and alpacas are some of the smallest of all animals. Alpacas are thus not used as pack animals as a result of small size. They only provide meat and fiber. The meat was considered by Andean inhabitants as a delicacy. The market for alpaca meat in North America is growing fast. The meat is on high demand and is very expensive, something that has made cases of smuggling to rise.
Alpacas are social animals. They form family groups composed of females, territorial alpha males and young ones. The animals make sharp, noisy inhalations similar to high-pitched brays to warn each other of an intruder. The whole herd often attacks smaller predators by spitting and kicking them. The animals show a lot of aggression towards the canid family. Some breeders exploit this trait in using alpacas for guarding sheep.
The use of a communal dung pile is common among alpacas. The dung pile is usually in a place where the herd does not graze. The use a communal dung pile limits how internal parasites spread within the herd. In general, males are tidier and use fewer dung piles compared to females. Some breeders have exploited the tendency to use a common dung pile to house-train alpacas.
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.
Many animals are classified as camelids and vicunas and alpacas are some of the smallest of all animals. Alpacas are thus not used as pack animals as a result of small size. They only provide meat and fiber. The meat was considered by Andean inhabitants as a delicacy. The market for alpaca meat in North America is growing fast. The meat is on high demand and is very expensive, something that has made cases of smuggling to rise.
Alpacas are social animals. They form family groups composed of females, territorial alpha males and young ones. The animals make sharp, noisy inhalations similar to high-pitched brays to warn each other of an intruder. The whole herd often attacks smaller predators by spitting and kicking them. The animals show a lot of aggression towards the canid family. Some breeders exploit this trait in using alpacas for guarding sheep.
The use of a communal dung pile is common among alpacas. The dung pile is usually in a place where the herd does not graze. The use a communal dung pile limits how internal parasites spread within the herd. In general, males are tidier and use fewer dung piles compared to females. Some breeders have exploited the tendency to use a common dung pile to house-train alpacas.
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.
About the Author:
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.
No comments:
Post a Comment