` Fun Alpaca Facts for Kids
- Alpacas are a member of the camel family.
- Alpaca babies are called crias.
- Alpacas usually only have one baby at a time and it takes eleven months for a
baby to be born.
- Alpacas are raised for their warm and soft fleece.
- Alpacas live in herds and may die of loneliness if they do not have other
alpacas living with them.
- Alpacas eat grass, hay and feed.
- Alpacas have three compartments in their stomachs and chew their cud like
a cow.
- Male alpacas grow fighting teeth that they use to fight off other males who
try to take the females in their herd.
- Alpacas do not have hooves like horses. They have soft padded feet
protected by large toenails.
- Alpacas make a humming sound when they are stressed out. They scream
when they are afraid or angry.
- Alpacas spit to protect themselves.
- Alpacas can be trained to walk on a halter and even go through an obstacle
course.
- Alpacas can never be ridden because their backs are not strong enough to
hold the weight.
- Alpacas can kick and bite but seldom do unless threatened.
- Alpaca fleece is removed once a year with large clippers called shears.
- Alpaca fleece can be spun and woven into hats, sweaters, mittens, blankets
and shawls.
- Alpaca fleece is hypoallergenic, which means it doesn’t feel scratchy like
sheep’s wool.
- Alpacas are shy but curious animals and lots of fun to raise!
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