Welcome to the I Can't Sleep podcast,
Where I help you drift off one fact at a time.
I'm your host,
Benjamin Boster,
And today's episode is about alpacas.
Thank you to Naaman for sponsoring today's episode.
Naaman says,
Happy birthday,
Akilah.
Sleep well.
The alpaca,
Llamapacos,
Is a domesticated species of South American camelid.
Traditionally,
Alpacas were kept in herds that grazed on the level hides of the Andes of southern Peru,
Western Bolivia,
Ecuador,
And northern Chile.
More recently,
Alpacas may be found on farms and ranches worldwide,
With thousands of animals born and raised annually.
Alpacas are especially popular in North America,
Europe,
And Australia.
There are two modern breeds of alpaca,
Separated based on their respective region of endemism and fiber,
Wool type.
The Suri alpaca,
And the Wakaya alpaca.
Both breeds produce a highly valued fiber,
With Suri Alpaca's fiber growing in straight locks,
While Wakaya fiber has a crimped wavy texture and grows in bundles.
These breeds' fibers are used for making knitted and woven items,
Similar to sheep's wool.
Alpacas are visually and genetically similar to,
And often confused with,
A relative species,
The llama.
However,
Alpacas are visibly shorter and predominantly bred for their wool,
While llamas have long been more highly prized as livestock guardians in place of dogs.
And as a pack animal,
Beast of burden,
Owing to their nimble mountain climbing abilities.
Both the alpaca and the llama are believed to have been domesticated and selectively bred from their wild counterparts.
The smaller,
Fine-haired vicuña and the larger,
Stronger guanaco,
Respectively,
At least 5,
000 to 6,
000 years ago.
Nonetheless,
All four South American camelids are closely related and can successfully crossbreed.
Apakas communicate through body language,
Spitting to show dominance when distressed,
Fearful,
Or agitated.
In the textile industry,
Alpaca primarily refers to the hair of Peruvian alpacas.
More broadly,
It refers to a style of fabric originally made from alpaca hair,
Such as mohair,
Icelandic sheep wool,
Or even high-quality wool from other breeds of sheep.
In trade,
Distinctions are made between alpacas and the several styles of mohair and luster.
The relationship between alpacas and vicuñas was disputed for many years.
In the 18th and 19th centuries,
The four South American limoid species were assigned scientific names.
At that time,
The alpaca was assumed to be descended from the llama,
Ignoring similarities in size,
Fleece,
And dentition between the alpaca and the vicuña.
Classification was complicated by the fact that all four species of South American camelid can interbreed and produce fertile offspring.
The advent of DNA technology made a more accurate classification possible.
Alpacas were domesticated thousands of years ago.
The Moche people of northern Peru often used alpaca images in their art.
Traditionally,
Alpaca were bred and raised in herds,
Grazing on the level meadows and escarpments of the Andes.
From Ecuador and Peru to western Bolivia and northern Chile.
Typically at an altitude of 3,
500 to 5,
000 meters or 11,
000 to 16,
000 feet above sea level.
There are no known wild alpacas,
And its closest living relative,
The vicuña,
Also native to South America,
Is the wild ancestor of the alpaca.
The family Camelidae first appeared in the Americas 40 to 45 million years ago,
During the Eocene period,
From the common ancestor Protolopus.
The descendants divided into Kamalini and Vamini tribes,
Taking different migratory patterns to Asia and South America respectively.
Although the camelids became extinct in North America around 3 million years ago,
They flourished in the South.
It was not until 2-5 million years ago during the Pliocene that the genus Haemiacania of the tribe Lamani split into Paleolama and Lama.
The latter would then split into Lama and Vikugna upon migrating down to South America.
Remains of Vicuña and Guanaco,
Dating around 12,
000 years,
Have been found throughout Peru.
Their domesticated counterparts,
The llama and alpaca,
Have been found mummified in the Moquegua Valley in the south of Peru,
Dating back 900 to 1,
000 years.
Mummies found in this region show two breeds of alpacas.
More precise analysis of bone and teeth of these mummies has demonstrated that alpacas were domesticated from the Vakudna.
Other research,
Considering the behavioral and morphological characteristics of alpacas and their wild counterparts,
Seems to indicate that alpacas could find their origins in Lama Guanacoy as well as Vekugna,
Or even a hybrid of both.
The alpaca is divided into two breeds,
Suri and Wakaya,
Based on its fibers rather than scientific or European classifications.
Huacaya alpacas are the most commonly found,
Constituting about 90% of the population.
The Huacaya Apaca is thought to have originated in post-colonial Peru because of its thicker fleece,
Which makes him more suited to survive in the higher altitudes of the Andes.
After being pushed into the highlands of Peru with the arrival of the Spanish.
Suri alpacas represent a smaller portion of the total alpaca population,
Around 10%.
They are thought to have been more prevalent in pre-Columbian Peru,
Since they could be kept at a lower altitude,
Where a thicker fleece was not needed for harsh weather conditions.
Apacas are social herd animals that live in family groups consisting of a territorial alpha male,
Females,
And their young ones.
Alpacas warn the herd about intruders by making sharp,
Noisy inhalations that sound like a high-pitched bray.
The herd may attack smaller predators with their front feet and can spit and kick.
Their aggression towards members of the canid family,
Coyotes,
Foxes,
Dogs,
Etc.
Is exploited when alpacas are used as guard animals for guarding sheep.
Alpacas can sometimes be aggressive,
But they can also be very gentle,
Intelligent,
And extremely observant.
For the most part,
Alpacas are very quiet.
But male alpacas are more energetic when they get involved in fighting with other alpacas.
When they pray,
They are cautious and nervous when they feel threatened.
They can feel threatened when someone or another alpaca comes up behind them.
Apakas set their boundaries of personal space within their families and groups.
They make a hierarchy in some sense,
And each Upaka is aware of the dominant animals in each group.
Body language is a key to their communication.
It helps to maintain their order.
One example of their body communication includes a pose named Broadside,
Where their ears are pulled back and they stand sideways.
This pose is used when male alpacas are defending their territory.
They commonly split to show dominance when they are in distress,
Fearful,
Or feel agitated.
Male alpacas are more aggressive than females and tend to establish dominance within their herd.
When they are young,
Alpacas tend to follow larger objects and sit near or under them.
An example of this is a baby alpaca with its mother.
This can also apply when an alpaca passes by an older alpaca.
Alpacas are generally very trainable and usually respond to rewards,
Most commonly food.
They can usually be petted without getting agitated,
Especially if one avoids petting the head or neck.
Alpacas are usually quite easy to herd,
Even in large groups.
However,
During herding,
It is recommended for the handler to approach the animals slowly and quietly,
As failing to do so can result in danger for both the animals and the handler.
Alpacas and llamas have started showing up in U.
S.
Nursing homes and hospitals as trained certified therapy animals.
The Mayo Clinic says animal-assisted therapy can reduce pain,
Depression,
Anxiety,
And fatigue.
This type of animal therapy is growing in popularity,
And several organizations throughout the United States participate.
Not all alpacas spit,
But all are capable of doing so.
Spit is somewhat euphemistic.
Occasionally the projectile contains only air and a little saliva,
Although alpacas commonly bring up acidic stomach contents and project it onto their chosen targets.
Spitting is mostly reserved for other alpacas,
But an alpaca will also occasionally spit at a human.
Spitting can result in what is called a sour mouth.
A sour mouth is characterized by a loose hanging lower lip and a gaping mouth.
Apecas can spit for several reasons.
A female alpaca spits when she is not interested in a male alpaca.
Both sexes of alpaca keep each other away from their food or anything they have their eyes on.
Most give a slight warning before spitting by blowing air out and raising their heads,
Giving their ears a pinned appearance.
Some signs of stress that can lead to their spitting habits include humming,
A wrinkle under their eye,
Drooling,
Rapid breathing,
And stomping their feet.
They tend to sniff their surroundings,
Watch closely,
Or stand quietly in place and stare.
Alpacas make a variety of sounds.
Humming.
When alpacas are born,
The mother and baby hum constantly.
They also hum as a sign of distress,
Especially when they are separated from their herd.
Alpacas may also hum when curious,
Happy,
Worried,
Or cautious.
Snorting Alpacas snort when another alpaca is invading their space.
Grumbling.
Alpacas grumble to warn each other.
For example,
When one is invading another's personal space,
It sounds like gurgling.
Clucking.
Similar to a hen's clog,
A paka's clog when a mother is concerned for her kriya.
Male alpacas cluck to signal friendly behavior.
Screaming.
Their screams are extremely deafening and loud.
They will scream when they are not handled correctly,
Or when a potential enemy is attacking them.
Screeching,
A bird-like cry,
Presumably intended to terrify the opponent.
This sound is typically used by male alpacas when they are in a fight over dominance.
When a female screeches,
It is more of a growl when she is angry.
Alpacas can breed at any time throughout the year.
Most breed during autumn or late spring.
The gestation period is,
On average,
11.
5 months,
And usually results in a single offspring,
Or a cria.
Twins are rare,
Occurring about once per thousand deliveries.
Kriya are generally between 15 and 19 pounds.
And are standing 30 to 90 minutes after birth.
Kriyas may be weaned through human intervention at about 6 months old and 60 pounds weight.
However,
Many breeders prefer to allow the female to decide when to wean her offspring.
They can be weaned earlier or later depending on their size and emotional maturity.
The average lifespan of an alpaca is between 15 and 20 years,
And the longest lived alpaca on record is 28 years.
Alpacas can be found throughout most of South America.
They typically live in temperate conditions in the mountains with high altitudes.
Alpacas are native to Peru,
But can be found throughout the globe in captivity.
Peru currently has the largest alpaca population with over half the world's animals.
European conquest forced the animals to move higher into the mountains,
Which remains there permanently.
Although alpacas had almost been wiped out completely,
They were rediscovered sometime during the 19th century by Europeans.
After finding their uses,
Animals became important to societies during the Industrial Revolution.
Alpacas usually eat 1.
5% of their body weight daily for normal growth.
They mainly need pasture grass,
Hay,
Or silage.
Still,
Some may also need supplemental energy and protein foods,
And they will also usually try to chew on almost anything.
Most alpaca ranchers rotate their feeding grounds so the grass can regrow.
Pasture grass is a great source of protein.
When seasons change,
The grass loses or gains more protein.
For example,
In the spring,
The pasture grass has about 20% protein,
While it only has 6% in the summer.
They need more energy supplements in the winter to produce body heat and warmth.
They get their fiber from hay or long stems,
Which provides them with vitamin E.
Green grass contains vitamin A and E.
Alpacas can eat natural,
Unfertilized grass.
However,
Ranchers can also supplement grass with low-protein grass hay.
To provide selenium and other necessary vitamins,
Ranchers will feed their domestic alpacas a daily dose of grain to produce additional nutrients that are not fully obtained from their primary diet.
Alpacas may obtain the necessary vitamins in their native grazing ranges.
Like other camelids,
Alpacas have a three-chambered stomach.
This three-chambered system allows maximum extraction of nutrients from low-quality forages.
Alpacas are not ruminants,
Pseudoruminants,
Or modified ruminants,
As there are many differences between the anatomy and physiology of a camelid and a ruminant stomach.
Alpacas chew their food in a figure-eight motion,
Swallow it,
And then pass it into one of their stomachs chambers.
The first and second chambers,
C1 and C2,
Are anaerobic fermentation chambers,
Where the fermentation process begins.
The alpaca will further absorb nutrients and water in the first part of the third chamber.
The end of the third chamber,
Called C3,
Is where the stomach secretes acids to digest food,
And is a likely place where an alpaca will have ulcers if stressed.
Unlike sheep and goats,
Which are commonly used to clear overgrown patches of land,
As they willingly consume many noxious,
Poisonous,
Botanical species,
Many more common plant families are highly poisonous to alpacas.
Alpaca fleece is soft and possesses water and flame resistant properties,
Making it a valuable commodity.
It is used for making knitted and woven items,
Similar to sheep's wool.
These items include blankets,
Sweaters,
Hats,
Gloves,
Scarves,
A wide variety of textiles and ponchos in South America,
As well as sweaters,
Socks,
Coats,
And bedding in other parts of the world.
The fiber comes in more than 52 natural colors as classified in Peru,
12 as classified in Australia,
And 16 as classified in the United States.
Alpacas need to eat 1-2% of their body weight per day,
Which is about 2 27 kg or 60 lb bales of grass hay per month per animal.
When formulating a proper dyad for alpacas,
Water and hay analysis should be performed to determine the proper vitamin and mineral supplementation program.
Two options are to provide free-choice salt mineral powder or feed a specially formulated ration.
Indigenous to the highest regions of the Andes,
This harsh environment has created an extremely hardy animal.
So only minimal housing and predator fencing are needed.
The alpaca's three-chambered stomachs allows for extremely efficient digestion.
There are no viable seeds in the manure because alpacas prefer to only eat tender plant leaves and will not consume sick plant stems.
Therefore,
Alpaca manure does not need composting to enrich pastures or ornamental landscaping.
Nail and teeth trimming are needed every 6 to 12 months,
Along with annual shearing.
Similar to ruminants,
Such as cattle and sheep,
Alpacas have only lower teeth at the front of their mouth.
Therefore,
They do not pull the grass up by the roots.
Rotating pastures is still important though,
As alpacas have a tendency to re-graze an area repeatedly.
Alpacas are fiber-producing animals,
And their fiber is a renewable resource that grows yearly.
Alpacas are closely tied to cultural practices for Andean people.
Prior to colonization,
The image of the alpaca was used in rituals and in their religious practices.
Since the people in the region depended heavily on these animals for their sustenance.
The alpaca was seen as a gift from Pachamama.
Alpacas were used for their meat,
Fibers for clothing,
And art,
And their image is in the form of konopos.
Konopas take their appearance from the Surya Upakas,
With long locks flanking their sides and bangs covering their eyes,
And a depression on the back.
This depression is used in ritual practices,
Usually filled with cocoa leaves and fat from alpacas and llamas,
To bring fertility and luck.
While their use was prevalent before colonization,
The attempts to convert the Andean people to Catholicism led to the acquisition of more than 3,
400 Konopas in Lima alone.
The origin of alpacas is depicted in legend.
The legend states they came to be in the world after a goddess fell in love with a man.
The goddess's father only allowed her to be with her lover if he cared for her herd of alpacas.
On top of caring for the herd,
He was to always carry a small animal for his entire life.
As the goddess came into our world,
The alpacas followed her.
Everything was fine until the man set the small animal down and the goddess fled back to her home.
On her way back home,
The man attempted to stop her and her herd from fleeing.
While he was not able to stop her from returning,
He was able to stop a few alpacas from returning.
These alpacas,
Who did not make it back,
Are said to be seen today in the swampy lands in the Andes,
Waiting for the end of the world,
So they may return to their goddess.
