Terminology and Physiologic Data

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.

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).

Reproduction

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.

Live cover is most commonly used in camelids. Camelids are prolific and easily bred because they are induced ovulators. However, much research has been performed on reproductive manipulation within the camelid.