Alpacas and Llamas Flashcards

Flashcards based on lecture notes about alpacas and llamas, covering key terms, biology, history, uses, and other information.

Hembra

Female alpaca, generally just female in the US.

Macho

Male alpaca, generally just male or herdsire in the US.

Gelding

A castrated male alpaca or llama.

Cria

A baby alpaca.

Weanling

Alpaca less than 1 year old, typically between 4 and 7 months.

Camelids

Herbivores with long slender necks, two-toed feet with toenails and soft foot pads, classified as pseudoruminants.

Camelids

What are llamas and alpacas classified as?

What is a pseudoruminant?

Animals that have three-chambered stomachs instead of four, like true ruminants

Similarities between pseudoruminants and ruminants

regurgitation and chewing cud, pregastric fermentation, stomach contractions for mixing and eructation

Where and when were Alpacas domesticated?

Northern Peru, about a thousand years ago.

Who domesticated llamas?

Pre-Incan civilizations.

What are alpacas used for?

Fiber production, show animals, pets, therapy animals.

Llama Breeds

Currently don’t have true breeds, but may evolve.

What are the two alpaca breeds?

Suri and Huacaya.

What is known about Alpaca and Llama Nutrition?

Not a lot is known, overeating is an issue, standard practice is using a sheep and goat mineral, they don’t consume salt in blocks.

Alpaca and Llama Reproduction

Induced ovulators, about 90% of alpacas become pregnant on first breeding, gestation length is 11.5 months, birth typically between 9 am and 3 pm.

What are the uses of Llama fiber?

Fine undercoat (crafts and garments) and coarser outer guard hair (rugs and lead ropes).

How is Alpaca Fiber quality determined?

Determined by how crimpy it is; the greater the folds, the greater the quality. Qualities include: First, Second, and Third.

Blood Adaptations of Alpacas and Llamas

Higher altitude adaptation, unique immune system with smaller antibodies that are good for disease research.

What is Berserk Male Llama Syndrome?

Overexposure of young llamas (especially males) to humans, often seen in bottle-fed animals isolated from others; animals usually have to be euthanized.