Alpacas belong to the camel family and were domesticated by the people of the Peruvian Andes 6,000 years ago for food, fuel, and fibre. Here are five lesser-known facts about alpacas.
Alpacas are known for their calm and gentle behaviour, making them friendly companions for both humans and other animals.
Alpacas have a unique digestive system that allows them to efficiently convert tough grasses and plants into energy, making them excellent grazers.
Unlike many other livestock, alpacas have soft and padded feet. This feature helps minimise damage to pastureland and makes them gentle on the environment.
Male alpacas mature sexually at about two and a half years. Whereas, females mature between 10 to 12 months but are usually bred at two years old to avoid difficult births in smaller females.
Alpacas face significant threats from climate change, which is drying out pastures and causing temperature fluctuations that increase their susceptibility to illness. They also risk genetic dilution through crossbreeding with llamas and vicuñas, as highlighted in a 2020 study in the Journal of Arid Environments.