Camelids Lecture

Were camelids in North America? Specifically oregon?

Yes! We dug some up were Reser stadium was built.

What ecosystem can Camelids do well in?

Dry, "marginal ecosystem", few resources

T/F Wild ones were domesticated into our domestic camelid population

True- they are a very common domestic animal in other cultures

Why do we find Vacuna in dry, decimate ecosystems?

They are forced there because our more "important" animals get the better resources.

Why is it amazing that Vicuna are here?

Their population was at one point down to 6000 animals.

Vicuna avg weight?

Color?

Fleece?

100-120lbs

Fawn color on back and white bellies

Finest fleece in the world- 12 to 18 microns

Guanaco Camelid

Size compared to Vicuna?

How is their fleece?

Guanaco are bigger then Vicuna. They are about 200lbs.

Less fine fleece

Traditionally, what do we use llamas and alpacas for?

How often do Chaccu communities harvest the fleece? Why is this important?

Fleece

Round them up every 2 hours to shear them. Its their big economic boom

What do Chaccu communities drink during the round up?

Chicha

How much are the vacuna fleeces worth?

$500

Where is the greatest population of llamas found?

Bolivia

When did llamas becoming pets in the USA?

80's.

Describe the classic llama

The wooly llama or Llama Ch'aku, very long fibers/hair

Describe the "burden" llama

Llama Q'ara- 200+ lbs, much less fiber

Where do Llama's come from?

Guanaco

What is the difference between a llama and guanaco?

Llamas are domestic, Guanacos are wild!

Which came here first? Llamas or alpacas?

Llamas

Which won the popularity contest in North America? Llamas or Alpacas? Why

Alpacas, cute, smaller, fuzzy

Where is the biggest Alpaca population found?

Peru

Huacayo phenotype? Is it dominant or recessive?

"Wooly" coat (not actually wool), Recessive

Suri phenotype? Is it dominant or recessive?

Dreadlock coat, more sleek, Dominant

Are suri's or Huacayo more popular? Why?

Huacayo- people believe they are more resistant to the weather.

How often can you shave an Alpaca?

Yearly

How is fleece sorted?

Where is the finest fleece?

Fiber diameter

Right around the back bone

Alpaca vs Llama

What color do people want in fleece? Why?

White- easier to dye

How many colors are there in Alpaca population?

22

How significant are slightly tinged brown spots in a white fleece?

Huge, can change the worth of animals by thousands of dollars

Other then fiber, what else are Alpacas/Llamas used for?

Food

How do they prep their meat?

Essentially freeze dry their meat.

The freezing crystalizes the water and draws it out. It looks burnt. It is called Ch'arki or Jerky

Bactrian and Dromedary- how many humps do they have?

Bactrian- 2 humps

Dromedary- 1 hump

Why do some crosses of camelids exist?

Make finer fleeces.

What does not work well with catching Camelids?

- letting them run around

-disorganized coordination

-no place to safely restrain them with solid walls

What is a classic form of restraint?

Rope around their neck

Why do camelids spit? Do they spit AT you?

Frustration or anger

No, they spit just directionally, not really on purpose on a person

Why do you need to conscious of halter size? What structure should the halter be close to?

It needs to fit high up close to the eyes, the bone does not go far past their eyes so if it doesn't fit well it will make it hard for them to breath

What are the fighting teeth?

Canines and 3rd upper incisor

Upon auscultation, where should you listen?

In the "windows" such as the Axillary window. Don't try to listen through the fiber