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Alpaca

Animals at our Zoo

As a leading UK zoo, Hertfordshire Zoo gives you a unique opportunity to get close and personal with wild animals including lions, tigers, snow leopards, and zebras.
We also have a wide selection of mammals and primates including meerkats and gibbons as well as reptiles and a farmyard. A fun day out for the whole family is guaranteed.

Meet the Alpacas

The Alpaca is a domesticated species of South American camelid, closely related to the llama. Known for their gentle temperament, soft fleece, and curious nature, alpacas are typically found in high-altitude areas such as the Andes Mountains.

They are highly social animals that thrive in herds and are often used for their wool, which is prized for being soft, lightweight, and hypoallergenic.

What is the difference between an alpaca and a llama?

Alpacas are smaller than llamas, with shorter faces and smaller ears. They are also primarily kept for their fleece, while llamas are used more as pack animals.

How do alpacas communicate with each other?

Alpacas communicate through body language, vocalisations such as soft humming, and occasional high-pitched alarm calls to warn the herd of danger.

Why do alpacas "spit" at each other?

Alpacas will spit as a form of communication, usually when they feel threatened, annoyed, or want to establish dominance. It’s a behaviour they use to sort out social hierarchies within the herd, but it’s rarely aggressive and usually just a warning.

Family:

Camelidae

Diet:

Herbivore (grasses, hay, and some grains)

Height:

81-99cm

Life Span:

15–20 years

Number of Young:

Typically one cria (baby alpaca) per birth

Distribution:

Native to the Andes mountains in South America, but now found worldwide

Habitat:

Grasslands, open mountain areas

Length:

80-99cm

Weight:

55kg-65kg

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