Gumboot Curiosity
September 3rd 2007 22:40
My alpacas seem to have a fascination with gumboots, at least the crias (babies) do anyway. They’re not so interested while I’m walking about, but if I sit down on the ground with my legs out in front, my gumboots appear to take on a life of their own.
Perhaps it’s because the boots stick up and as they are a small distance away from me (albeit attached by legs), the crias behave as though my boots are some other animal which needs to be checked out.
A newborn cria might look a little like a gumboot, with the boot leg as the body and the foot pointing up like a cria's neck and head. Perhaps they think a new playmate has arrived?
They’ll observe from a distance initially – from a couple of metres, just watching and sniffing, trying to find out what the boots are, without coming too close. Eventually, the curiosity becomes too much and they come up for a proper sniff.
They sniff around the boots for a few seconds, jumping back if I move my feet. Then once they're satisfied that the boots are boring they'll wander off again. They’ll do this a few times when I go into the paddock, until they get used to the gumboots and don't bother with them anymore.
(Please excuse the poor quality of the video)
Because of the natural curiosity of these critters, especially when they’re very young and busy learning about everything, I use the “let them come to you” method of alpaca taming.
I don’t think this is an actual method that someone has established, it’s just the easiest way for me to get my alpacas used to people. I just spend a lot of time standing or sitting in the paddock, or wandering around.
Their curiosity eventually gets the better of them and they’ll come up. I let them come when they’re ready and I don’t do anything to make them feel threatened (ie I don’t touch them or make any sudden movements). Once they know I’m safe, then I can start handling them, once again, just a small touch to start, without them freaking out and running away.
OK, this takes much longer than the “corner them and grab” method, which sadly needs to be used sometimes if you absolutely have to get things done, like if you have an alpaca with an injury or something. But just going out and sitting in the paddock with the mums (who are well used to us hanging about now) and their new bubs goes a long way to getting the youngsters used to you, which will ultimately make them much easier to handle.
Perhaps it’s because the boots stick up and as they are a small distance away from me (albeit attached by legs), the crias behave as though my boots are some other animal which needs to be checked out.
A newborn cria might look a little like a gumboot, with the boot leg as the body and the foot pointing up like a cria's neck and head. Perhaps they think a new playmate has arrived?
They’ll observe from a distance initially – from a couple of metres, just watching and sniffing, trying to find out what the boots are, without coming too close. Eventually, the curiosity becomes too much and they come up for a proper sniff.
They sniff around the boots for a few seconds, jumping back if I move my feet. Then once they're satisfied that the boots are boring they'll wander off again. They’ll do this a few times when I go into the paddock, until they get used to the gumboots and don't bother with them anymore.
Because of the natural curiosity of these critters, especially when they’re very young and busy learning about everything, I use the “let them come to you” method of alpaca taming.
I don’t think this is an actual method that someone has established, it’s just the easiest way for me to get my alpacas used to people. I just spend a lot of time standing or sitting in the paddock, or wandering around.
Their curiosity eventually gets the better of them and they’ll come up. I let them come when they’re ready and I don’t do anything to make them feel threatened (ie I don’t touch them or make any sudden movements). Once they know I’m safe, then I can start handling them, once again, just a small touch to start, without them freaking out and running away.
OK, this takes much longer than the “corner them and grab” method, which sadly needs to be used sometimes if you absolutely have to get things done, like if you have an alpaca with an injury or something. But just going out and sitting in the paddock with the mums (who are well used to us hanging about now) and their new bubs goes a long way to getting the youngsters used to you, which will ultimately make them much easier to handle.
Curious alpacas
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Comment by katyzzz
Photography Tips
Health Focus
MS Paint Art
Keep up the good work, love the photos, love everything really, but, glad it is you doing the hard work.
katyzzzz
Comment by Rosemary
Alpaca Notes - Tasmania
Yes they are very "thinking" animals. A bit too smart sometimes, won't take a trick.
Not hard work though, just good fun.
Cheers
Rosemary