# Alpaca (*Lama pacos*) Alpacas are gentle animals that are known for their soft, fluffy wool. They live in herds and love to graze on grass. Alpacas are friendly and curious, making them fun to be around! - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Mountain regions ![Alpaca](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771424583/objects/1756.jpg) ## Appearance The Alpaca is a medium-sized camelid with a long neck and a thick, shaggy coat. Its face is typically smaller and more refined than a llama's, with shorter, straighter ears. They come in many solid colors like white, black, brown, fawn, and grey. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Artiodactyla - **Family:** Camelidae - **Genus:** Vicugna ## Interesting facts - Alpaca dung, called "alpaca beans," makes excellent, eco-friendly garden fertilizer! - Alpacas sometimes "pronk" – a bouncy jump with all four feet when they are excited! - Their naturally hypoallergenic fleece is seven times warmer than sheep's wool! - These gentle animals are known for their soft, soothing humming sounds when content. ## Special abilities - **Soft Fleece Power:** Alpaca has incredibly soft, warm fleece that helps them stay cozy in cold mountain environments. - **Gentle Grazer:** Alpaca can efficiently graze on tough mountain plants because of their unique three-chamber stomach. - **Mountain Climber:** Alpaca has padded feet with two toes and strong nails that help them grip rocky terrain. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 81-99 cm - **Weight:** 48-84 kg - **Lifespan:** 15-20 years - **Speed:** 60 km/h - **Litter Size:** 1 - **Gestation:** 335-365 days ## Diet & Feeding These gentle animals enjoy munching on various grasses and plants in their mountain homes! - **Primary Foods:** Grasses, Leaves, Shrubs, Lichens - **Foraging Method:** Grazing ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** Puma (*Puma concolor*) — Pumas sometimes hunt young or weak alpacas in their habitat. - **Eaten by:** Culpeo Fox (*Lycalopex culpaeus*) — Culpeo foxes may prey on alpaca crias if unprotected. - **Eats:** Andean Fescue (*Festuca dolichophylla*) — Alpacas graze on fescue grasses, a primary food source in the Andes. ## Traits - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Mountain](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/mountain): This habitat trait identifies species found in mountainous regions, characterized by high elevation, steep slopes, and varying climate zones. - [Domesticated](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/domesticated): Domesticated refers to species that have been selectively bred and tamed by humans for specific purposes. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. ## Collections - [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/mammals) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always be calm and quiet around alpacas; they can get scared easily. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Alpaca? Compare ears, muzzle, tail, feet and coat markings. Size is hard to judge without something nearby for scale, and young mammals may not have adult coloring yet. Mammal Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Alpaca? 81-99 cm ### How much does Alpaca weigh? 48-84 kg ### How long does Alpaca live? 15-20 years ### How fast can Alpaca move? 60 km/h ### What does Alpaca eat? These gentle animals enjoy munching on various grasses and plants in their mountain homes! ### Where is Alpaca usually found? Mountain regions ### How does Alpaca hunt? Grazing ## Where to spot - [African Safari Wildlife Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/african-safari-wildlife-park) — Ohio, US · Zoo - [Long Island Game Farm](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/long-island-game-farm) — New York, US · Zoo - [Potawatomi Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/potawatomi-zoo) — Indiana, US · Zoo - [Frank Buck Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/frank-buck-zoo) — Texas, US · Zoo - [Great Plains Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/great-plains-zoo) — South Dakota, US · Zoo - [Salisbury Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/salisbury-zoo) — Maryland, US · Zoo [View all places to see Alpaca](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/alpaca) ## Watch - [Play video: Alpaca](https://www.snappit.app/videos/alpaca) - [YouTube](https://youtube.com/watch?v=pfIuEN7RLB4) ## More Mammals - [Eastern Fox Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-fox-squirrel) (*Sciurus niger*) - [Eastern Cottontail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-cottontail) (*Sylvilagus floridanus*) - [Eastern Chipmunk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-chipmunk) (*Tamias striatus*) - [California Ground Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-ground-squirrel) (*Otospermophilus beecheyi*) --- Source: [Alpaca: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/alpaca)