Box 18-1 lists common terminology used to describe the age and breeding status of llamas and alpacas. Table 18-1 lists normal physiologic data for llamas and alpacas.

BOX 18-1 Terminology

Female/dam	Adult female (harem is housed in a group)
Gelding	Castrated male
Cria	Neonate
Yearling	Camelid older than 1 year but not yet 2 years

TABLE 18-1

Camelid Physiologic Data

Temperature	99–101.5°F
Pulse rate	60–90/min
Respiratory rate	10–30 breaths/min
Adult weight	Llamas: 280–450 lb Alpaca: 150–185 lb

Common Camelid Instruments

Visit the Evolve website to find pictures and descriptions for common camelid instruments.

Anatomical Terms

Figures 18-1 and 18-2 will help you review the terms for body parts and areas of llamas and alpacas, as well as the names of bones and joints.

Classification

In this section, camelids refers to llamas and alpacas, although the group known as South American Camelids refers to llamas, alpacas, vicunas, and guanacos.

Alpaca typically are smaller than llamas, but the main difference is within their fibers. Llamas have a dual-fiber coat. Llamas have a fine covering, but it is intermingled with long guard hairs. Alpaca fiber does not contain these long guard hairs. On average the alpaca stands 34 to 36 inches at the withers (shoulders), whereas the llama stands 42 to 48 inches at the withers (Fig. 18-3).

FIGURE 18-3 Four South American camelids: *top left,* vicuña; *top right,* guanaco; *bottom left,* alpaca; *bottom right,* llama. (From Fowler ME: *Zoo and wild animal medicine current therapy,* vol 6, 6th ed, St. Louis, WB Saunders, 2008.)

Breeding information for llamas and alpacas is given in Table 18-2. The normal reproductive course for any large animal species was discussed in Chapter 3. The following reproductive procedures are variations that exist among species.

TABLE 18-2

Breeding Information

Type of estrous cycle	Polyestrus
Age of female at puberty	Llama: 6–12months Alpaca: 1 year
Age of male at puberty	Llama:2–3 years Alpaca: 2–3 years
Time of first breeding	2.5–3.5 years
Estrous cycle frequency	8–12 days
Duration of estrus	4–5 days
Time of ovulation	Induced ovulator Artificial insemination: 24–36 hours after induced ovulation
Optimal time of breeding	Induced ovulator
Gestation period	335–-365 days
Birth weight	Alpaca: 12 lb Llama: 15 lb
Litter size	1–2; twinning is more common in llama
Weaning age	5–6 months