Alpacas – The importance of knowing your animal
Website design By BotEap.comWhen we bought our first small herd of Alpacas, the owner impressed us by knowing the names of each of the animals. We were told that we would quickly learn which was which. But to us, each looked the same, although on closer inspection some were taller, some smaller, and some had identifying marks. It took us a few weeks, but we were finally able to name each of our Alpacas.
Website design By BotEap.comWhether you intend to be an alpaca breeder, keep them as pets, or take care of animals, getting to know each of your alpacas is vitally important. They are herd animals and with the herd instinct they mask themselves from others (and therefore from you), when they are not feeling well or when they are in pain. To have a close bond with your alpacas, you need to spend some time with them on a daily basis.
Website design By BotEap.comWith daily observation, you’ll be able to assess each animal’s stress levels, gain insight into the pack’s hierarchical structure (who’s the leader?), and monitor each animal’s overall health. You will be able to determine who is over fed, who is under fed, who is nice and who bullies others. It is important that you understand the behavior patterns of each animal if you want to be able to determine when they are not feeling on top of the world.
Website design By BotEap.comAlpacas communicate through ear, tail, head, and neck body postures, and they also vocalize. Knowing some of these communication methods will help you understand your alpacas.
Website design By BotEap.comThe Alert Posture: The alpaca will stand with a stiff, upright body and turn its ears forward in the direction it is looking. It indicates a curiosity about a change that occurs in the immediate environment. It could be a person walking in the next field, the sight of a cat or dog, the arrival of someone strange to them, or sometimes even a bird that has landed on their grazing area. Very often each Alpaca will turn and face the same way and strike the same pose. It can result in entire pack members moving in unison to investigate or drive off the intruder. Alpacas have very keen eyesight and will often spot creatures that are well hidden long before people are aware of an additional presence near a herd. If the Alpaca interprets that there is no danger, the whole herd will simply leave. If they perceive it to be a danger, it can result in an alarm call or a quick flight of the entire pack.
Website design By BotEap.comThe alarm call: This is a high-pitched, shrill sound that is often given first by the leader of the group, and then the others will follow suit. There is a slight difference in sound between a Suri and a Huacaya. Alpacas that are new to your farm are more likely to give an alarm call when they see the cat, the dog, the chickens, and even a paper bag blowing in the wind. In fact, they will call an alarm every time they see something they haven’t experienced before. As a responsible owner, it is important that you find the source of your concern. Remember that they have brilliant eyesight, but if you look in the same direction that they are looking, then you can find the reason for their call.
Website design By BotEap.comAlpacas communicate in many ways, too many to cover in this article, so another will follow. But becoming familiar with these two behavior patterns will help you understand some of your alpacas’ behaviors.