Huacaya Alpaca

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*This page is under renovation and all information may not be up-to-date or complete*

Description

Huacaya alpacas are one of the two alpaca species.

The only characteristic that differentiates males and females is that males have longer incisors and canine teeth called “fighting teeth”.

Range & Habitat

Alpacas can be found in Bolivia, Ecuador, and Chile living in high mountain foot hills.

At the Virginia Zoo, alpacas can be found in our ZooFarm in the Red Barn.

Behavior

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Diet

Alpacas are herbivore primarily consuming grasses, cushy plants, and woody shrubs. Many plants are poisonous to the alpaca, including calla lily and daisies.

Fun Facts

• Alpacas are descendants from vicuña and were domesticated by Andean people over 6,000 years ago.

Virginia Zoo Animals

Females: Calico (born 1/1/2012), Troika (born 1/1/2009), Eleana (born: 5/28/2022), Moonsinger (born: 6/19/2022) & Myrcella (born: 10/12/2017)