Zoo with Alpaca | Hof van Eckberge

Our alpacas always seem to be full of amazement. With a slight frown and a cheerful look, they are waiting for you in our zoo. A fresh haircut and warm fur, which not only provides warmth but is also used to make clothes, for example. Originally they come from the Andes mountains in South America, but as you can see from the photos, they also love it in the zoo at Hof van Eckberge!

General information alpaca

Scientific name: Vicugna pacos

Alpacas belong to the camelids and are related to the llama. These animals come in 22 different recognized colors, the furry species are rare. Alpacas live in groups both in the wild and in captivity.

More about the alpaca

Habitat alpaca

Originally from South America, the alpaca lives on the high plains of Bolivia and Peru. In the wild, it occurs at an altitude of 4400 to 5300 meters, where there is low humidity and thus the soil is also somewhat soft and moist. In the Andes, the alpaca is kept as a pet.

Appearance of alpaca

Weight	Males 70 to 85 kg and females 60 to 70 kg
Age	Alpacas can reach 25 years of age
Length	Up to 90 cm (shoulder height)

Propagation

Alpacas live in harem groups, meaning there are several females and one stallion in a group. Stallions are fertile between 2 and 3 years of age and mares as early as 1 year of age. Mating season usually begins from late summer, but it can also occur throughout the year. Mares do not have a cycle; an egg is released only after mating. Alpacas mate lying down, making moaning sounds.

The pregnancy period of an alpaca is 11 months, after which 1 young is born. An alpaca young is always born during the day and weighs 6 to 9 kg. The major difference from other mammals is that the mother does not lick her young clean. She only responds to her cub when it begins to make noises. This happens to avoid alarming other nearby predators. The young are nestlings, meaning they are born already with fur and open eyes. Unlike other nestlings, they cannot walk right away; this only comes after an hour. In nature, the mother continues to care for her young for a year.

Food in nature

An alpaca drinks from its mother for 5 to 6 months, then eats tender grass, twigs from trees, herbs and hay.

Food at Hof van Eckberge

With us, the alpacas get alpaca kibble, hay and endive.

Did you know that...?

Alpaca wool has insulating properties and is the warmest wool in the world?
The alpaca is used against foxes? This is done because alpacas do not run away but go on the attack to protect their group.
That many people who are allergic to sheep's wool can stand alpaca wool?
Indians can classify 5 different quality classes of wool with their hands?

Alpaca