What kind of animal is an alpaca? We will explain its characteristics, ecology, and habitat. A member of the camel family that lives in South America, the animal is known for its thin, fluffy fur, making it a very popular animal in zoos around the world. Alpacas are highly prized all over the world for their wool-like wool.
What is an alpaca? About basic status
Alpacas are classified in the camelidae family, genus Vicuna. It is a famous domestic animal of South America. The scientific name is Vicugna pacos, and the kanji is written in kanji such as yōda, yōdāda, yōdō. The body length is 2m and the weight is 50-55kg. The list of information is as follows.
| Japanese（和名） | アルパカ |
| English（英名） | Alpaca |
| scientific name(学名) | Vicugna pacos |
| classification（分類） | Mammalia、Artiodactyla、 Camelidae、Vicugna 哺乳綱、鯨偶蹄目、ラクダ科、ビクーニャ属 |
| IUCN Status(保全状況) | LEAST CONCERN |
| Length（体長） | 2m |
| Weight（体重） | 50–55kg |
About classification
Alpacas have many subspecies. Please refer to the following types. This is a quote from Wikipedia. Some of them are extinct.
- カメルス・ギガス Camelus gigas
- カメルス・ヘステルヌス（エステルヌス） Camelus hesternus
- カメルス・シルヴァレンス（シルワレンス） Camelus sivalensis
- シリアラクダ Camelus moreli
- ヒトコブラクダ Camelus dromedarius
- フタコブラクダ Camelus ferus
- ビクーニャ Vicugna vicugna
- アルパカ Vicugna pacos
- リャマ（ラマ） Lama glama
- グアナコ Lama guanicoe
🦙 Alpaca Taxonomy
| 分類階級 | 名称 | 補足 |
|---|---|---|
| 界（Kingdom） | 動物界（Animalia） | 多細胞、真核生物 |
| 門（Phylum） | 脊索動物門（Chordata） | 背骨を持つ |
| 綱（Class） | 哺乳綱（Mammalia） | 恒温・乳腺で授乳する |
| 目（Order） | 偶蹄目（Artiodactyla） | 偶蹄（ひづめ2本ずつ）を持つ |
| 亜目（Suborder） | ラクダ亜目（Tylopoda） | 足の形や消化器の特徴で分類 |
| 科（Family） | ラクダ科（Camelidae） | 背中にこぶの有無でラクダ属と区別 |
| 属（Genus） | ヴィクーニャ属（Vicugna） | 小型・高山適応型の草食動物 |
| 種（Species） | Vicugna pacos | アルパカ |
Where will the habitat be?
Its habitat is South America.
- Origin
Andes Mountains, South America
Country: Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, Northern Chile, Northwestern Argentina
Elevation: 3,500-5,000m
Environment: Cold, dry zone, alpine grasslands (Páramo Altiplano)
Climate: Large temperature difference between day and night, low precipitation
- Distribution as Livestock
Alpacas are domesticated camelids, and are kept by humans in some areas:
South America: Primarily Peru, Bolivia, and Ecuador
North America, Europe, and Asia: They are sometimes imported and raised for ornamental purposes and for their wool.
Alpaca farms are also found in Australia and New Zealand, where they are used for wool product production.
- Differences from Wild Species
The vicuna (Vicugna vicugna), the ancestor of the alpaca, is a wild species that lives in the alpine grasslands of the Andes in Peru and Bolivia.
Alpacas are fully domesticated and rarely go wild.
feature is? What kind of creature is it?
Alpacas have no upper incisors and are characterized by hardened skin. This is a livestock breed that has been bred to make use of its hair, and has evolved since ancient times. The coat color is brown and black. Alpaca wool continues to grow until it is sheared, so if it is not sheared, it will grow to the point that it touches the ground. They always live in herds and are grazed all year round. Alpacas have sharp claws and soft pads on their feet, so they won’t damage the grass.
- Appearance and Physique
Body Length: Approximately 1.5-1.8m (head to tail)
Shoulder Height: Approximately 90cm
Weight: Approximately 55-65kg (depending on breed and gender)
Huacaya: Fluffy, curly, and voluminous
Suri: Long, smooth, shiny fur that hangs down
Fur colors vary, including white, brown, black, gray, and mixed colors
Face and Ears:
Small, rounded face
Ears are long and slender, standing upright
Small nose, with a soft expression
Feet:
Having artiodactyls (two toes), they are well adapted to mountainous habitats
Lightweight and durable, making them easy to walk on steep slopes
- Personality and Behavior
Generally docile, gentle, and timid
Highly social animal that lives in groups
Sensitive to smells and stimuli, and highly alert
May spit when angry (primarily as a threatening behavior)
Highly intelligent, and easily tame humans and other livestock
- Ecology and Habitat Characteristics
Alpine-adapted: Can thrive in low-oxygen environments
Herbivory:
Eats grass, pasture, and shrub leaves
Specialized digestive system with high cellulose-breaking ability
Thermogenesis: Thick fur protects from the cold
Reproduction:
Gestation period: Approximately 11-12 months
One calf is born per litter (twins are rare)
The calf is called a “kuikka”
What is your personality like?
Alpacas are generally curious and very intelligent animals. They are also known for not wanting to fight, and rarely get into fights. It is a very easy animal to care for.
- Gentle and docile
Generally gentle and docile
Rarely aggressive toward humans or other animals
Highly social animals that live in groups and cooperate with others
- Timid and cautious
Sensitive to new people, sounds, and changes in their environment
May spit and intimidate when frightened
Need to keep quiet and at a distance until they become accustomed to others
- Sociality and group behavior
Feeling safe in groups
Communicate with others (through vocalizations and body language)
Keeping multiple alpacas is less stressful than keeping them alone
- Highly intelligent and adaptable
Can learn simple commands and behaviors
Once accustomed to their owners, they will come when called
Due to their cautious nature, they require gradual adjustment when changing environments or care methods
- Playful and curious
Running and hopping around lightly in groups and in new environments
Baby alpacas (kuikkas) are particularly curious and energetic
- Precautions
Because they are timid, they are sensitive to loud noises, sudden movements, and strong stimuli.
They are sensitive to hierarchical relationships within the group, so being kept alone can be stressful.
What is the ecology like?
Alpacas are herbivores and live by eating grass. Male alpacas reach sexual maturity at the age of two and a half and begin breeding around October. The average gestation period is 342 days. Only one baby is born at a time. Alpacas have an estimated lifespan of 15 to 20 years.
- Habitat
Origin: The Andes Mountains of South America (Peru, Bolivia, northern Chile, northwestern Argentina)
Altitude: 3,500-5,000m
Climate: Dry and cold with large temperature differences between day and night
Lifestyle: Lives in herds on vast grasslands and rocky areas
- Diet
Completely herbivorous (herbivore)
Main diet:
Grass of alpine grasslands and shrub leaves
Occasionally consumes dry plants
Digestive system:
Pseudo-ruminant stomach, typical of the camelid family (artiodactylidae)
Efficient fiber digestion
Water intake:
Obtains a large amount of water from grass
Can survive on low water levels
- Sociality and Group Behavior
They live in groups, and communication with their peers is important.
They communicate by calls (bleating, humming, etc.)
They have a hierarchical structure within the group, but are not overly aggressive.
To avoid stress, it is preferable to keep them in groups of at least two rather than alone.
- Breeding and Rearing
Sexual Maturity:
Males: Approximately 2-3 years
Females: Approximately 1-2 years
Breeding Season: Scheduled for dry seasons and periods of abundant food.
Gestation Period: Approximately 11-12 months
Birth: Usually one calf (twins are rare)
Baby Alpaca (Kuikkha):
Able to stand and walk immediately after birth.
They are breastfed and begin playing within the group within a few weeks.
- Behavior Pattern
Diurnal: Active during the day, resting at night
Adapted to high altitudes, they move nimbly even on steep slopes and rocky terrain
Defensive Behaviors:
When threatened, they spit, flee, or warn others
Young individuals are playful, jumping and chasing each other
- Lifespan
Domesticated: 15-20 years
Tends to live slightly longer than wild vicuñas
Are there any natural enemies?
Alpacas have almost no natural enemies. Since it was domesticated by humans, it became protected, so there is no longer any enemy that can be called an enemy.
About Baby Alpacas
This article provides detailed information about the development, behavior, and ecology of baby alpacas.
- Name
Curia (Cria)
Spanish for “baby”
Usually refers to a cub up to about 6 months old.
- Birth
Gestation Period: 11-12 months
Birth: Usually a single cub (twins are extremely rare)
Weight: Approximately 6-8 kg at birth
Mother-Child Relationship: Raised by their mother
Initial Behavior:
Stands and begins walking within a few minutes to a few tens of minutes of birth
Drinks breast milk and is dependent on their mother in the herd
- Growth and Development
Weight Gain: May approximately double within the first month of life
Weaning: Gradually transitions to grass or hay between 4-6 months of age
Hair Development:
Has fluffy fur immediately after birth to protect from the cold
Hair type changes to either huacayan (curly hair) or suri (long hair) as they grow.
- Behavior/Personality
Playful and Curious:
Actively runs and jumps within the pack
Chases with other young animals
Social Learning:
Learns hierarchical and social behaviors in the pack from their mother and other individuals
Alertness:
Hides behind their mother when threatened
May spit to intimidate, just like adults
- Nutrition
Breastfeeding:
Mainly during the first 3-4 months of life
Taurine and immune substances are obtained from breast milk
Transition to a Grass Diet:
Starts eating soft grass and hay gradually from around 2 months of age
Completely weaned by 4-6 months of age
- Health Care Tips
Preventing Insufficient Breastfeeding: Monitor for malnutrition and breastfeeding refusal
Cold Protection: Even with thick fur, they are susceptible to hypothermia, so provide a roof or shelter as needed
Parasite Prevention: Regular deworming is recommended, just like for adult animals
Are alpacas an endangered species?
Because alpacas are domesticated, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) does not assess their conservation status. Therefore, it has not been evaluated. In the 16th century, when Spain colonized South America, the alpaca population declined by 90%, but has since stabilized as they have been domesticated.
- Domesticated Species
Alpacas are fully domesticated camelids.
They are kept by humans for their wool, ornamental value, and agricultural use, and do not exist in the wild.
Millions of them are kept worldwide, and their populations are stable.
As a result, they are not assessed as endangered or listed as “Not Threatened” on the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Red List.
- Their Wild Ancestor (Vicugna) is Protected
The alpaca’s ancestor, the vicugna (Vicugna vicugna), once faced extinction after overhunting drastically reduced its population.
By the 1970s, its population had fallen to approximately 60,000.
Through conservation and management, it has now recovered to over 400,000.
Current IUCN Assessment:
Vicugna: Least Concern
However, conservation and management are necessary in some areas.
Can alpacas be kept as pets?
There is no legal problem with owning an alpaca. However, there are some things like the following, and the hurdles are very high. If you go to a zoo or other place and have time, there will be information about shows, etc., so we recommend checking the outline and details before watching as a customer. Please visit the page and check it out.
How much does an alpaca cost?
If you want to buy an alpaca, it will cost about 1.8 to 2 million yen. This is not a realistic price as it is quite expensive.
How should I feed it?
Alpacas eat 1 kg of hay a day. As you can see from this, they eat a lot, so it costs a lot of money to eat, so you need to be careful. Also, since alpacas live in herds, it is necessary to have multiple animals.
Requires a large area
Since alpacas originally lived in the vast highlands of the Andes, they require large areas of land. It is not at all easy as the breeding space requires appropriate fencing and stables where the alpacas can rest and sleep.
コメント