The Pecking Order
August 16th 2007 22:18
Just like in every society, alpacas have their hierarchy and every alpaca knows his or her place in the herd.
You’ll have a leader, who keeps everyone in line. The leadership may change now and then as other alpacas challenge the leader for the top position. The girls tend to do this by intimidating each other and spitting. The boys do this too but they also get physical and fight for top position.
The leader gets to eat first, followed by her friends. The lowest of the low are the crias (babies). They get a raw deal from everyone so you’ll often find them with spit on their faces and their little lips dropped looking sad. They haven’t learned alpaca manners yet and have done something wrong.
Timid alpacas tend to be lower in the pecking order. They’ll just stand off at the back while the others jostle for their share of the food. They’ll come in and see if anything’s left once the others have finished and moved away.
In my girls paddock, the leadership seams to shift between the two oldest females. They’re both 11 years old. One is a massive animal, the other much smaller, but more forward. They seem to share the role a bit. One will be leader for a while then the other will take over.
We have a couple of old wethers (castrated males) who are great at keeping the peace. Never underestimate the value of these old lawnmowers. They’re tough as, live on next to nothing and help keep stray dogs at bay. They can usually be put with either males or females and they have a definite calming influence on the herd. I guess this could be because they don’t have all those hormones to deal with.
You’ll have a leader, who keeps everyone in line. The leadership may change now and then as other alpacas challenge the leader for the top position. The girls tend to do this by intimidating each other and spitting. The boys do this too but they also get physical and fight for top position.
The leader gets to eat first, followed by her friends. The lowest of the low are the crias (babies). They get a raw deal from everyone so you’ll often find them with spit on their faces and their little lips dropped looking sad. They haven’t learned alpaca manners yet and have done something wrong.
Timid alpacas tend to be lower in the pecking order. They’ll just stand off at the back while the others jostle for their share of the food. They’ll come in and see if anything’s left once the others have finished and moved away.
In my girls paddock, the leadership seams to shift between the two oldest females. They’re both 11 years old. One is a massive animal, the other much smaller, but more forward. They seem to share the role a bit. One will be leader for a while then the other will take over.
Alpaca Herd
We have a couple of old wethers (castrated males) who are great at keeping the peace. Never underestimate the value of these old lawnmowers. They’re tough as, live on next to nothing and help keep stray dogs at bay. They can usually be put with either males or females and they have a definite calming influence on the herd. I guess this could be because they don’t have all those hormones to deal with.
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Comment by katyzzz
Photography Tips
Health Focus
MS Paint Art
Lovely post as usual, I just love those creatures, but don't like the spitting.
It's a lovely tranquil photo, which I love, for lots or reasons and the post was very informative which makes it interesting.
katyzzz
Comment by Rosemary
Alpaca Notes - Tasmania
They don't usually spit at people, just other alpacas. If you're really annoying them, then they'll spit, so makes good sense to treat them nicely. Then they'll like you.
Cheers.
Rosemary