Llama and Alpaca Industry - Exam 4

what are camelids

the larger category that includes Old World camels and South American "llamo-like" animals

what are the 6 members of the camelidea family (english & species name)

1. one humped camel

2. two humped camel

3. llama

4. guanaco

5. alpaca

6. vicuna

which members of the camelidea family are domesticated

1. one humped camel

2. two humped camel

3. llama

4. alpaca

which members of the camelidea family are not domesticated

1. guanaco

2. vicuna

how many llamas and alpacas are there worldwide

9 million

how many llamas and alpacas are there in the US

76K llamas and 141K alpacas

which state has the most llama and alpaca population

Oregon

where do L + As originate from

Andes Mountains in South America

how many chromosomes do L + A have

37 pairs

which species produces the finest wool of any animal

vicuna

which species is the largest of the lamoids

llamas

what 5 things are llamas used for

• food

• wool

• tallow for candles

• dried poop for fuel

• predator control (in US)

what are the two types of alpaca fiber

• huacaya

• suri

what are some advantages of alpaca wool

• softer than sheep wool

• stronger 

• no lanolin

• yield around 10lbs of fiber per year

• 23 natural colors

• accepts dye well

how much do L vs. A weigh

llamas: 250-400lbs

alpacas: 100-200 lbs

how tall are L vs. A

llamas: 42-46 in

alpacas: 34-36 in

how do the faces of L differ from A

llamas: long face

alpacas: more blunt and smooshed in 

how do the L ears differ from A ears

llamas: large + banana shaped

alpacas: short + spear shaped

how is the fleece of L vs. A

llamas: coarser

alpacas: finer

how do the colors of L differ from A

llamas: fewer variatons

alpacas: more variations

what is the disposition of L vs. A

llamas: guard animals

alpacas: skiddish

what is the hearding of L vs. A like

llamas: independent

alpacas: gregarious

what are some camelid traits

• long neck

• small head

• prehensile lip

• tongue does not protrude from mouth

what type of blood cells to llamoids have

elliptical erythrocytes

what are some benefits of elliptical erythrocytes

• can swell to 150% of normal size

  • allows for quick rehydration

• hemoglobin reacts faster with oxygen

  • so they can exert themselves extraneously in high altitudes

what is the foot shape of camelids

• two-toed feet with toenails and soft pads to adjust and grip onto rocky terrain

• they do not have hooves

how to cameloids walk

• with distinct gait

  • they sway when they walk 

  • both legs move simultaneously

what type of feeders are lamoids

herbivores and modified ruminants

how does feeding methods differ for L and A

llamas: graze + browse

alpacas: graze only

explain lamoid digestion

• modified ruminant digestion with 3 compartments (C-1, C-2, C-3)

  • regurgitation + chewing the cud

  • microbial fermentation in C-1 and C-2

do llamas go undergo estrus

no

when do lamoids reproduce

any time they are not pregnant

what does it mean that lamoids mate in sternal recumbency

females sit on legs with their belly on the ground during copulation

how long is copulation in llamas and alpacas

llamas: 18 min

alpacas: 20 min

what are mating behaviors in lamoids

1. male inspects surroundings and feels safe

2. both genders make a distinctive noise

3. female runs from the male

4. male chases her

how long is gestation in llamas vs. alpacas

llama: 250 days ± 2 weeks

alpacas: 335 days ± 2 weeks

when does parturition occur for lamoids

between 9am and 3pm

how does parturition occur in lamoids

• they give birth standing up

• the mother hums to its child to bond (instead of licking it)

what are the 4 main health concerns in lamoids

1. heat stress

2. enterotoxemia

3. parasites

4. problems with teeth care

outline heat stress in lamoids

what: occurs when heat and humidity is over 180

prevention: wool shearing, shade, and sprinklers

what is enterotoxemia in lamoids

an overeating disease