Alpaca
Vicugna pacos
For a long time the alpaca, along with the llama, was considered the second domestic form of the guanaco. However, DNA analysis revealed that the alpaca is descended from the vicuña. Alpacas are conspicuous for their long and dense hair and are also used mainly for wool production. The animals are sheared annually and the wool yield is 3.5 to 5 kilograms per shearing. Depending on the breed, the wool can be coarser or finer. The exported wool of the approximately 3.3 million alpacas represents a significant economic factor for Peru. Small camels spit liquid stomach contents to get rid of intrusive other alpacas and to assert the hierarchy. In doing so, they demonstrate astonishing marksmanship. Humans are rarely spat on by llamas and alpacas. The greenish "spit" is malodorous but harmless.
| Family | Even-toed ungulates, tylopods, camelids, vicuñas | |
| Habitat | grasslands and semi-deserts from sea level to 4000 meters above sea level | |
| Mode of life | diurnal, territorial | |
| Social structure | small harem groups, young males in small groups, older males also as solitary | |
| Food | grasses, herbs, buds | |
| Weight | 80 to 120 kg, newborns up to 15 kg | |
| Shoulder height | 90 to 120 cm | |
| Head-torso length | 160 cm | |
| Tail length | 30 cm | |
| Gestation period | 11 to 12 months | |
| Litter size | 1 young, rarely 2 | |
| Maturity | 2 years | |
| Life expectancy | 20 years | |
| Use | skins for blankets and clothing, milk | |
| Current population | stable, 550,000, northern subspecies endangered in Peru | |
| In Zurich Zoo since | 1949 |
Distribution
Animal sound
Sponsors
| M. A. Frick, Zürich | |
| D. Linder, Zürich | |
| R. Busse, Fällanden | |
| C. Märchy, Niederweningen | |
| Familie R. + V. + R. + Y. Schärer, Luzern | |
| D. Selzam, Winterthur | |
| J. Strauss, Männedorf | |
| St. + C. + L. Marti, Dänikon | |
| S. Müller, Wallisellen | |
| I. Schlatter, Rümlang | |
| A. Angehrn, Baden | |
| G. Mamuzic, Zürich | |
| O. Stanimirov Rossi, Zürich | |
| Holder Bau AG, Dällikon | |
| B. Hertz, Winterthur | |
| M. + N. Rischborn, St. Gallen | |
| L. Filli Lamprecht, Zürich | |
| E. + A. Domeisen, Bülach | |
| Familie Blümel, Zürich | |
| H.-J. Kläui, Russikon | |
| B. Mészaros, Winterthur | |
| I. Krumeich, Regensdorf | |
| D. Graf, Zürich | |
| N. + D. Koch, Nürensdorf | |
| E. + P. Randegger-Grimmer, Watt | |
| M. Zysset, Langenthal | |
| A. Weiss, Pfungen | |
| A. Fischer, Winterthur | |
| M. Metzler, Zürich | |
| S. + R. Schärrer, Neuhausen am Rheinfall | |
| St. + M. Salm, Dietikon | |
| St. Gaggia, Lufingen | |
| L. Gautier-Barras, Zürich | |
| Familie Noti, Theilingen | |
| O. Rusterholz, Künten | |
| Familie K. + N. Meyer, Zumikon | |
| A. Heller, Waltalingen | |
| L. Kellenberger, Walenstadt | |
| P. Peter, Illnau | |
| P. Cafader, Endingen | |
| S. Amacker, Niederglatt | |
| J. Margraf, Hagendorn | |
| M. Keller, Rüti |
