Another Alpaca Unpacks
December 28th 2007 04:49
My lovely Alice had a little girl this morning at 10.15. Actually, she had a BIG girl, which explains Alice’s massive belly over the past few weeks.
We haven’t decided on a name yet. Sometimes a name is chosen fairly quickly. Other times we need to throw a few names about for a while before one seems to suit. In any case, the new bub is gorgeous.
Alice is my favourite in the herd. Probably because she’s super tame. Most alpacas don’t really like to be handled by humans and prefer to stay at arms length (can’t blame them). They’re not particularly touchy, feely animals.
Alice was born here and I spent a lot of time just hanging about in the paddock as she grew. She also just seems to have a more personable nature than many other alpacas. Alice has passed this trait on to a number of her crias, so fingers crossed this little one will be a cuddly alpaca too.
You need to be careful of over-friendly alpacas, particularly young males. Alpacas should be wary of humans.
A young alpaca who bumps you, tugs at your clothes or invades your space un-invited might be incredibly cute while he’s little, but he’s actually displaying dominant behaviour. Once he grows up he could treat you like another alpaca and you could become his competition (or a potential mate!!!)
Females who are precocious youngsters can also turn out to be aggressive, or pushy and spitty as adults. Not nice alpacas to have around.
A friendly alpaca who is respectful of your personal space is what you want.
Alice is just that. She also has lovely soft fleece and gives me beautiful babies. Couldn’t ask for a better alpaca. Well done Alice!
Alice's Cria
We haven’t decided on a name yet. Sometimes a name is chosen fairly quickly. Other times we need to throw a few names about for a while before one seems to suit. In any case, the new bub is gorgeous.
Alice is my favourite in the herd. Probably because she’s super tame. Most alpacas don’t really like to be handled by humans and prefer to stay at arms length (can’t blame them). They’re not particularly touchy, feely animals.
Alice was born here and I spent a lot of time just hanging about in the paddock as she grew. She also just seems to have a more personable nature than many other alpacas. Alice has passed this trait on to a number of her crias, so fingers crossed this little one will be a cuddly alpaca too.
You need to be careful of over-friendly alpacas, particularly young males. Alpacas should be wary of humans.
A young alpaca who bumps you, tugs at your clothes or invades your space un-invited might be incredibly cute while he’s little, but he’s actually displaying dominant behaviour. Once he grows up he could treat you like another alpaca and you could become his competition (or a potential mate!!!)
Females who are precocious youngsters can also turn out to be aggressive, or pushy and spitty as adults. Not nice alpacas to have around.
A friendly alpaca who is respectful of your personal space is what you want.
Alice is just that. She also has lovely soft fleece and gives me beautiful babies. Couldn’t ask for a better alpaca. Well done Alice!
Alice's Cria - Just a few minutes old
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Comment by katyzzz
Photography Tips
Health Focus
MS Paint Art
Good luck with the name. How about Princess?
Comment by Rosemary
Alpaca Notes - Tasmania
She does look like royalty though. She's all dried off now - 32 degrees here today - and she's a lighter colour, caramel. Very pretty.
Comment by Catherine
Natural Animals
A huge congratulations!!!
Interesting reading about how what one might think cute behavior for a young-un is the beginning of dominant personality.
Catherine
Comment by Rosemary
Alpaca Notes - Tasmania
There's a condition called Beserk Llama Syndrome. Applies to alpacas as well (as they're closely related).
Not sure if it occurs in other animals, though I suppose there's no reason why it wouldn't.
The animal is allowed to be overly physical with humans as a youngster, which if encouraged can lead to aggression on maturity. I haven't seen it here, only on videos.
Pretty sad though, as it's easily prevented by proper handling.