Alpacas are ancient, intelligent, biologically unique, and full of surprising behaviours and adaptations that aren’t always obvious to the casual observer. So, whether you’re an experienced breeder, a hobby farmer, or simply alpaca-curious, here are ten things about alpacas that are unusual, underappreciated, and genuinely fascinating.
1) Their Blood Is Built for Altitude – Even at Sea Level
Alpacas evolved in the high Andes, living comfortably at altitudes over 4,000 metres, where oxygen levels are much lower than at sea level. As a result, their red blood cells are uniquely adapted for maximum oxygen uptake. Alpacas have oval-shaped red blood cells, unlike the round cells seen in most mammals. These allow for better oxygen transport, especially under low-oxygen conditions.
This adaptation means alpacas often tolerate anaemia better than other species, sometimes masking serious internal parasites like Haemonchus contortus until they are dangerously ill. This is why faecal egg counts and FAMACHA scoring are so vital in British herds, even when the animals seem “fine.”
2) They Hum, Constantly, and For Many Reasons
If you’ve spent time with alpacas, you’ve probably heard the distinctive soft hum they make. But what many people don’t realise is just how rich and varied their vocalisations are. Humming isn’t random. It’s a key method of communication, used to express contentment, curiosity, stress, confusion, maternal bonding, and even boredom.
There are also other vocalisations, including:
- Orgling (a deep, rolling sound made by males during mating),
- Screaming (a high-pitched alarm, often heard during shearing),
- Snorting or grunting (used to show irritation or alert others to danger).
Pay attention to the tone and frequency of humming, changes can be early indicators of stress, isolation, or even pain.
3) Their Teeth Keep Growing, and They Don’t Have Upper Incisors
Alpacas have quite a unique dental arrangement. They have a hard upper dental pad instead of upper front teeth, which means they nibble grass rather than tearing it. But what surprises many owners is that their cheek teeth (molars and premolars) continue to erupt throughout life, similar to a horse.
This constant eruption means overgrown or misaligned teeth can become a serious issue, especially in older animals. Dental disease is one of the most common reasons alpacas lose weight or drop pellets from their mouths.
Annual dental exams under sedation are strongly advised, especially for animals over 4 years old. Don’t wait until they stop eating, by then, the problem is well advanced.
4) They Poop in Toilets, and It’s a Social Ritual
Alpacas are incredibly tidy defecators, typically creating communal dung piles in fixed locations within their paddocks. These “toilets” are used by the entire herd and can become surprisingly territorial.
What’s really interesting is that dung piles are more than just convenience—they’re a form of scent-based communication. Herd members, especially males, use the communal pile to identify one another and may even assert social rank by dunging on top of another’s deposit.
Practical perks:
- Easier pasture cleaning and parasite control
- Helps reduce parasite spread when paddocks are rotated
- Makes them more manageable than other livestock for smallholders
5) Alpacas Don’t Always Spit, and When They Do, It’s Mostly at Each Other
The idea that alpacas spit at humans is a myth rooted more in llamas and exaggerated anecdotes. While alpacas can spit, they generally reserve this behaviour for intra-herd disputes, particularly around feeding time or during breeding.
Spit is usually regurgitated rumen contents, and it smells just as bad as it sounds. Spitting establishes dominance, sets boundaries, and sometimes diffuses tension.
If an alpaca is spitting at humans, it’s usually a sign of fear, pain, or poor handling experiences, not inherent aggression.
6) They Have a Split-Stomach System That’s Not Quite a Ruminant
While often grouped with ruminants like cows and sheep, alpacas aren’t true ruminants. Instead, they have a three-compartment stomach (as opposed to four), known as C1, C2, and C3. Each compartment has a unique function:
- C1: Fermentation vat—like a cow’s rumen
- C2: Absorbs nutrients and continues fermentation
- C3: Acidic compartment where digestion is completed
Alpacas are extremely efficient at extracting nutrients from low-quality forage. But it also means dietary changes must be slow and carefully managed to avoid upset or bloat.
Never assume a feeding strategy designed for goats or sheep will suit alpacas, what works for one species can be dangerous for another.
7) Females Ovulate on Demand, Not in Cycles
One of the most unusual aspects of alpaca reproduction is that females are induced ovulators. Unlike sheep, goats, or horses, they don’t have regular oestrous cycles. Instead, ovulation is triggered by mating itself, specifically, by the act of copulation and the presence of semen. What does this mean for breeding?
- You can’t “catch them in season” the way you would with other livestock.
- A female might sit (be receptive) even if she’s already pregnant.
- Ultrasound confirmation of pregnancy is essential.
Because they don’t show outward heat signs, timing and behavioural observation play a key role in successful breeding programs.
8) Their Ears Don’t Just Hear, They Express Emotion
Alpacas are subtle creatures, and body language plays a huge role in their communication. The ears, in particular, are expressive tools that reveal mood, attention, and herd dynamics.
Ear positions and meanings:
- Forward and alert: Curious or interested
- Pinned back: Annoyed or fearful
- Half-back: Relaxed or sleepy
- Swivelling: Monitoring sounds or indecisive
Learn to read ear signals alongside tail and neck posture, especially when handling nervous animals or assessing well-being.
9) They Can Survive Cold Relatively Easily, but Heat Can Kill Them
Given their Andean origins, alpacas are remarkably hardy in cold, wet, and even snowy British winters, as long as they have shelter from wind and wet. But heat is their real nemesis.
Alpacas regulate body temperature through breathing and shade-seeking, but their thick fleece can trap heat. Once core body temperature rises too far, they struggle to cool down, and the condition can turn fatal quickly. Prevention strategies:
- Shear before the summer months
- Provide plenty of shade and access to fresh water
- Use fans or sprinklers during heatwaves
- Watch for drooping ears, excessive panting, or collapse
A heat-stressed alpaca is an emergency. Rapid intervention, cooling, IV fluids, and vet support, is critical.
10) They Bond More Deeply Than You’d Expect
Alpacas are social animals with strong, often lifelong bonds. These can exist between mothers and crias, siblings, or just close herd mates. They also experience grief when a herd member dies or is taken away. What this looks like:
Searching behaviour after a loss
- Refusing to eat
- Increased humming or isolation
- Even lying beside the body if not removed promptly
Understanding alpaca social bonds is vital for humane management. Removing a herd mate (especially a cria or dam) should be done with care and planning. Introducing new animals is best done slowly and with supervision.
Conclusion: There’s More Beneath the Fleece
Alpacas are endlessly surprising once you begin to look past their fluffy exterior. Their physiology, behaviour, and evolutionary adaptations make them one of the most unique livestock species in the world. And the more we understand their subtle needs and instincts, the better we can care for them, not just as animals, but as individuals.
If you’ve made it this far, you’re likely one of the people who truly care about doing right by your alpacas. Keep learning, keep observing, and never stop being curious, because these incredible animals have so much more to teach us.
Thinking of getting alpacas? The British Alpaca Society offers free resources and a directory of accredited breeders. Also consider joining the South East Alpaca Group, a volunteer group affiliated with the BAS, who support alpaca and llama enthusiasts across the South East of England.
Message from the South East Alpaca Group committee. We know that no two herds, or herd owners, are the same. We hope you found this article useful and if you’ve got ideas, suggestions, corrections, or just a different way of doing things, we’d love to hear from you. Our goal is to offer the most accurate, practical, and useful advice possible, and that works best when we all pitch in. Drop us a line at committee@southeastalpacagroup.org.uk and help us make our articles better.