Baby Alpaca
by Eva Lechner
Title
Baby Alpaca
Artist
Eva Lechner
Medium
Photograph - Photograph
Description
The alpaca (Vicugna pacos) is a species of South American camelid. It is similar to, and often confused with, the llama. However, alpacas are often noticeably smaller than llamas. The two animals are closely related and can successfully cross-breed. Alpacas and llamas are also closely related to the vicuña, which is believed to be the alpaca's wild ancestor, and to the guanaco. There are two breeds of alpaca: the Suri alpaca and the Huacaya alpaca.
Alpacas are kept in herds that graze on the level heights of the Andes of Southern Peru, Western Bolivia, Ecuador, and Northern Chile at an altitude of 3,500 m (11,500 ft) to 5,000 m (16,000 ft) above sea level. Alpacas are considerably smaller than llamas, and unlike llamas, they were not bred to be working animals, but were bred specifically for their fiber. Alpaca fiber is used for making knitted and woven items, similarly to sheep's wool. These items include blankets, sweaters, hats, gloves, scarves, a wide variety of textiles and ponchos in South America, and sweaters, socks, coats and bedding in other parts of the world. The fiber comes in more than 52 natural colors as classified in Peru, 12 as classified in Australia, and 16 as classified in the United States.
Alpacas communicate through body language. The most common is spitting when they are in distress, fearful, or mean to show dominance. Male alpacas are more aggressive than females, and tend to establish dominance of their herd group. In some cases, alpha males will immobilize the head and neck of a weaker or challenging male in order to show their strength and dominance.
Copyright Eva Lechner
Contest winner:1st place in the Contest Love All Animals-February 2019
Contest winner:1st place in the Contest ADORABLE ALPACAS-December 2023
Uploaded
January 22nd, 2019
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Viewed 895 Times - Last Visitor from New York, NY on 04/25/2024 at 3:34 PM
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Comments (23)
Sarah Irland
Congratulations, Eva, on your 1st Place Win in the Adorable Alpacas Contest for this wonderful photograph! Voted. L/F
Tania Read
Congrats on you first place in the All Animals contest, very deserving for this gorgeous capture. L/F/Tw
Mary Lynn Giacomini
Stunning capture of the Baby Alpaca......lighting and details beautiful.....incredible work Eva! L/F
Randy Burns
What a wonderful portrait of this beautiful animal Eva. I love the lighting and detailing. F/L.
Jolanta Anna Karolska
I am captivated by this delightful animal's expression, Eva...so sweet...and adorable :) f.v.