Camelids Fact Sheet:

What is a Camelid?

A camelid is a ruminant, camel like animal that does not have a hump. Llamas, alpacas, guanacos and vicunas are all members of the camelid family.

Alpacas:

Alpacas were domesticated over 5000 years ago by Incan tribes in South America. These animals are originally from the Andes Mountains in South America, in particular, from Peru, Bolivia and Chile. The first recorded alpacas in Canada were in the 1980s, but large imports of the animals occurred in the early 1990s. Today, in Canada, alpacas are raised primarily for their fibre. In January 2006, there were 16 373 registered alpacas in Canada, and this number is expected to continue to grow.

Alpaca fibre combines the softness of cashmere and the warmth and strength of wool. The fibre can be easily dyed, and cleaned, and the fibre comes in 22 natural colours including white, brown, black, grey, fawn and any combination of these colours. The fibre is non allergenic and repels water. Prized for its unique silky feel and superb handle, alpaca fibre is highly sought after by the large textile manufacturers of Europe and Asia. Canadian alpacas are shorn annually and their fibre is processed into a number of products including sweaters, socks and blankets.

There are two breeds of alpaca currently in Canada. The Huacaya is the most common breed and is known for its crimped or wavy fleece. The animal has a full, fluffy appearance, having a soft bonnet of wool on the forehead and the dense body wool grows straight out from the body. The other breed, called the Suri, has straight, fine fibre that hangs in pencil-like flocks.

Adult alpacas weigh between 125 and 175 pounds on average and have a life span of 20 to 25 years. Female alpacas are usually first bred at 18 months of age. Their gestation period averages 11½ months. Females give birth to one offspring, called a cria, once a year that weigh between 14 and 20 pounds at birth.

Alpacas are easy to raise, can be handled by anyone and are safe around children. They are extremely hardy and adaptable to most climates, elevations and conditions. Alpacas require little space. A four-foot field fence makes a sufficient enclosure with a three-sided shelter for wind and sun protection. They eat about two pounds of hay and almost one pound of supplement a day, in addition to access to fresh and clean water at all times.

Did you know…

Alpacas very rarely spit, usually only when they are scared or overexcited
Alpacas usually lay down in transit
Alpacas communicate through soft humming noises and unique body language
With the exception of mohair, alpacas produce the strongest animal fibre in the world
One acre can sustain between five and eight alpacas, making them the ideal hobby farm animal
Alpacas get along with goats, sheep, donkeys, horses, cats and family dogs.
They are the oldest domesticated animals selectively bred for quality fibre.

Useful Links:

Canadian Llama and Alpaca Association
Alpaca Canada
Ontario Camelids Association

Llamas:

In the highlands of Peru, some 4,000-5,000 years ago, llamas were domesticated, placing them among the oldest domestic animals in the world. Llamas were used primarily as pack animals and were an integral part of the Inca economy. Llama fibre was used for clothing, saddlebags, and made into products and weaving tools while their dung was used as a source of fuel and also as an essential fertilizer for potato production. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, llamas were reintroduced to their original North American homeland. Today there are an estimated 6,000 llamas in Canada.

Llama wool ranges in colour from white to black, with shades of grey, brown, red and roan. Markings on the wool can range from solid to spotted. Their wool is soft and fine, and is used for protection against cold, and acts as an insulator for heat. The llama wool can be harvested yearly by clipping or shearing and made into beautiful garments and blankets. Once the guard hair is removed, llama fibre is comparable to that of the alpaca. The yearly wool harvest per llama will produce fleece weighing three to eight pounds and be four to seven inches in length.

Mature llamas weigh an average of 280-350 pounds. Full growth is reached by the fourth year, and while there are no obvious differences between the sexes, males tend to be slightly larger. The llama’s life span is 20 years on average.

Females are bred between 14 and 24 months of age, depending on size and development. Gestation averages 350 days and a single offspring is produced. A female very rarely has twins. The average weight of a normal newborn llama (called a cria) is 25-30 pounds.

Llamas are ruminant with a three-compartmented stomach. They chew their cud like cattle and sheep. They are highly adaptable feeders, being both grazers (grasses and forbs) and browsers (shrubs and trees). They have relatively low protein requirements due to their efficient digestive systems, and therefore can be kept on a variety of pastures or hay. They eat about two to four percent of their body weight in dry matter each day. Water should be available at all times and should be clean and fresh.

Spitting is normally used only among llamas to divert annoying suitors, ward off a perceived threat or, most commonly, to establish a pecking order at mealtime. An occasional llama that has been forced to tolerate excessive human handling may have developed an intolerance for or fear of humans, will spit if it feels threatened by them. They prefer not to be petted except on their necks and woolly backs.

When placing llamas on pasture, a farmer should plan to have three to five animals per acre. A three-sided shelter should be included, with its purpose to provide protection from the sun and other weather elements. During winter, an enclosed shed may be necessary to provide protection from the severe cold. Fences should be at least four feet high and it is recommended that the fence be made of woven wire, wooden rails, chain link or electric fence. Barbed wire is not recommended. All fences should also be dog proof.

Did you know…

Llamas are highly social animals and therefore need the companionship of another llama
Llamas communicate their moods with a series of tail, body and ear postures, and vocalizations.
Llamas require less water than most domestic animals; they tend to drink more during the summer and when lactating, and less during the winter and when on lush green pastures.
Crias (baby llamas) have the finest fibre, and their fibre is the most sought after.
Llama fibre has a tensile strength and durability three times that of wool
Guard Llamas are highly successful in preventing predation in sheep and goat flocks

Useful Links:

Canadian Llama and Alpaca Association
Llama Canada
Ontario Camelids Association