Llamas/Alpacas and Goats

AnSci 200 Exam #3

Llama/Alpaca and Goat Uses:

1. Fiber

2. Transportation

3. Guard Llamas

4. Food

5. “Fainting” Goats

Angora goat fiber:

Mohair fiber

Cashmere goat fiber:

Cashmere fiber

What are guard llamas used for?

Fighting off predators. Usually for sheep and goats

What is the number one dairy goat state?

Wisconsin!!

Scientific name for fainting goats

Myotonia congenita

Do fainting goats lose consciousness?

No, their muscles just lock up when surprised

Capra hircus

Goat (scientific classification)

Family: Bovidae

Goat

Lama glama

Llama (scientific classification)

Family: Camelidae

Llama

Baby goat

Kid

Female goat

Doe

Male (intact) goat

Buck

Male (castrated) goat

Weather

Baby llama

Cria

Female llama

?

Male (intact) llama

Stud

Male (castrated) llama

Gelding

Are goats and llamas ruminants?

Yes

What are ruminants?

Animals with multiple compartments in stomach

How many stomach compartments does a goat have?

4 compartments

How many stomach compartments does a llama have?

3 compartments

What is the rumen?

A large, fermentation vat

Are goats and llamas fore-gut or hind-gut fermentors?

Fore-gut fermentors

What is actually digesting the food in the rumen?

Microorganisms

Can goats and llamas digest cellulose? (grass, leaves, etc)

Yes!

Are llamas induced ovulators?

Yes

Goat puberty

4-5 months

Goat mating

Standing

Goat ovulation

SPONTANEOUS

Goat gestation

145-155 days

Goat births

Twins

Llama puberty

18-36 months

Llama mating

Kush

Llama ovulation

INDUCED

Llama gestation

330-375 days

Llama births

Singles

Are goats short day or long day breeders?

Short-day breeders (decreasing photoperiod causes breeding season)

Protozoal Disease (llamas & goats)

Coccidiosis

Bacterial Diseases (llamas & goats)

1. Mastitis

2. Brucellosis

3. CL/Cheesy Gland

4. Hoof Rot

What is mastitis?

Inflammation of mammary gland

Can humans get Brucellosis?

Yes

What other disease can hoof rot be?

Fungal

Fungal Diseases (llamas & goats)

1. Ringworm

2. Hoof Rot

Parasites (llamas and goats)

1. Barberpole worm

2. Brain worm

3. Liver fluke

Other care needed for llamas and goats:

• Shear annually

• Some grooming

• Hoof/nail trimming

Negative points of having a llama

• Bersek Male Syndrome

• Spitting

• Fighting teeth

What gender does Berserk Male Syndrome normally occur?

Males

What is Berserk Male Syndrome?

Where llamas exhibit aggressive behaviors to humans, due to imprinting on humans

• During breeding season, the male practices chest ramming, biting, territorial charging, stomping, screaming

How can you prevent Berserk Male Syndrome?

• Leave crias alone for first few months

• Don’t bottle feed unless necessary

• Neuter males before puberty if just a pet

What does a llamas spit contain?

Most likely saliva and components of the rumen

Do llamas normally spit at humans or other llamas?

Other llamas (not humans)

Negatives of owning a goat

• Horns

• Buck odor

When were alpacas first imported to the U.S.?

1984

Are alpacas smaller or larger than llamas?

Smaller

Alpaca gestation

11 months

Alpaca hair produced

5-10 lbs/year

Alpaca average lifespan

15-25 years

What should you be aware of when wanting to buy an alpaca?

Very expensive!! This is because of their hair