alpaca

Animals in the Little Zoo

Ungulates and hoofed animals

South American animals

The alpaca belongs to the camelids and is most closely related to the vicuna, llama and guanaco. Alpacas originate from Peru and the Andes in South America where Indians kept them as domesticated animals, mainly for their wool. When the conquistadors invaded South America, almost all alpacas disappeared but a small number of animals were hidden away in the mountains and today's alpacas are descended from these.

Alpacas come in all different colours and are generally very calm and friendly animals. If they are stressed or crowded, alpacas may defend themselves by kicking or spitting out half-digested food.

You can find our alpacas in the Little Zoo.