Alpaca

Scientific Name: Vicugna pacos

Order: Artiodactyla (even toed ungulates)

Family: Camelids

Conservation Status

About

Alpacas are the smallest of the domesticated camelid species. They have slender bodies, long necks, camel-like faces and medium-length fluffy tails. Our three alpacas at the zoo are known as huacaya alpacas as their fleece is crimped, compact, and soft. Suri alpacas have longer cylindrical locks resembling dreadlocks. Similar to sheep wool, alpaca fiber is used to make knitted and woven items, such as clothing and other textiles.

Find me at EPZ

Location: Across from the Playground

Arrived at EPZ: 2/16/2023 - Redemption Song, Ringo Starrcas, Lyrical Gangsta

Habitat & Range
Native to the central and southern Andes Mountains, from Peru to Argentina. They are now a breed of domesticated livestock in the United States and other countries, including New Zealand, Australia, and the Netherlands.
Identification
Alpacas are similar in appearance to llamas, although they are typically much smaller. Their wool coat can be one or multiple colors usually ranging from white to black and brown
Diet
Herbivore - Grasses, leaves, stems, and bark
Reproduction & Lifespan
Alpacas breed once a year and the female gives birth to just one offspring. In the wild, they live approximately 5-10 years, but in human care, they live about 15 to 20 years.
Fantastic Fact
Alpacas do not have upper teeth, only lower teeth that constantly grow throughout the animal's lifetime

Alpaca

Conservation Status

About

Find me at EPZ

Habitat & Range

Identification

Diet

Reproduction & Lifespan

Fantastic Fact