ORANGE COUNTY ZOO
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Irvine Park Railroad
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The Orange County Zoo is
owned and operated by the
County
of Orange, California.
Web page produced by the
Orange County Zoological Society,
Copyright 2005.
Alpaca
Lama pacos
The
alpaca is a member of the Camelidae family, which also includes camels, guanaco,
vicuna, llama. The alpaca and llama were domesticated over 500 yearsago, while
the guanaco and vicuna are wild. They are found in Peru, Bolivia, and the Andes
Mountains from 10,000ft-17,000ft. Their habitat includes alpine, grassland,
meadows and marshes. They are grazers and most of their diet is made up of
grasses.
It is thought that the alpaca and llama were developed and domesticated by the
Incas of Peru from wild vicuña and guanacos. The llama was a beast of burden,
used as a pack animal and also for food. The alpaca was used for their superb
wool and as a food source. Ninety one percent of the aplaca population in the
world is currently located in Peru.
Alpacas come in two forms: huacaya and suri. The huacaya looks like a fluffy
teddy bear, while the suri’s hair grows in long dreadlocks. Only 10% of the
alpaca population is in the suri form. The alpacas at the zoo are huacaya.
There are twenty-two recognized shades of color of fleece. The most common
colors are dark brown, black and white. The South America mills prefer white
fiber because it is easily dyed. The hair, which is warmer, softer, and stronger
than sheep wool, can grow 5-10 inches per year. One full fleece can make 4-8
sweaters.
Alpacas are also used as a guard for sheep herds. They protect baby sheep from
foxes and other predators.
Alpacas have long necks and long legs. An adult alpaca weigh 110-170 lbs. They
have two toes on each foot with a nail extending off each of the toes. They also
have a three chambered stomach which carries out rumination. Their upper lip,
like the other members of the Camelidae family, is split in two parts. Alpacas
are known to spit when they are annoyed.