Alpaca Questions and Answers

Alpacas are a unique species with their own behaviours, needs, physiology and social structure. While they may appear calm and undemanding, keeping them well requires a good understanding of how they live and what they need to thrive.

This page answers some of the most common general questions about alpacas, helping to build a clearer understanding of their behaviour, characteristics, and day-to-day requirements.

What are alpacas?
Alpacas are a domesticated species of South American Camelids (SAC's) evolved and bred by the Incan civilisation for their fabulously soft fibre. Today alpacas are kept in many countries around the world.

Are alpacas good pets?
Alpacas are kept in herds of various sizes as a livestock species, but to most keepers they quickly become part of the family and whilst field companions, may be considered pets. Alpacas are highly intelligent animals, and whilst not cuddly, enjoy engaging and interacting with their humans.

How long do alpacas live?
Alpacas typically live between 15 and 20 years or more with good appropriate care.

Are alpacas easy to keep?
Alpacas are considered relatively low maintenance compared to other farmed animals with the correct knowledge and set up, but they are a unique species with specific requirements which must be understood to allow them to thrive. Alpacas require daily care, regular husbandry and annual shearing.

Do alpacas spit?
Yes. Spitting is a defence mechanism, along with kicking. However, alpacas usually only spit at each other, typically over food at feeding time, or to establish or maintain herd hierarchy. Respectfully handled alpacas should not spit or kick people.

How many alpacas should you keep?
Alpacas must always live in groups of at least three animals to form a herd and preferably four.

Can alpacas live alone?
No. Alpacas are herd animals and isolation causes stress and poor physical and mental welfare. Even if kept with other farmed species, they should always be in a herd with other alpacas.

Why do alpacas need companions?
Alpacas rely on herd companionship for security, social interaction and wellbeing.

Do alpacas need shelter?
Yes. Alpacas must have access to a field shelter or equivalent at all times to escape severe weather; cold, rain, snow, wind, direct sunlight and heat.

Do alpacas need fencing?
Yes. Secure stock fencing is essential to keep alpacas safe and prevent escape. Temporary rope fencing, barbed wire, and electric fencing is not suitable for alpacas.

How much land do alpacas need?
A typical guideline is three alpacas per acre, depending on grazing quality. Whilst more alpacas can be kept per acre during summer, stocking rates should be determined on winter grazing availability. Alpacas should have plenty of space to roam and paddocks should be rested and rotated to maintain grass quality and minimise worm burdens on pasture.

Do alpacas need fresh water?
Yes. Alpacas must have access to fresh clean drinking water at all times. They will not break ice from water troughs or drink contaminated water. The volume of water drunk per day depends on environmental temperature, type of forage, whether in full fleece and for females whether nursing a cria (baby alpaca).

Do alpacas need shearing?
Yes. Alpacas must be sheared once a year for welfare reasons. Their fibre grows continuously and does not fall out.

Do alpacas need vaccinations?
Yes. Alpacas are normally vaccinated annually against clostridial diseases. Always ask your vet for vaccination protocols for your area. 

Do alpacas need worming?
Responsible parasite control involves regular faecal egg counts and targeted treatment only when necessary.

Do alpacas need their toenails trimmed?
Yes. Alpaca toenails usually require trimming several times each year.

How often should alpacas be checked?
Alpacas should be observed every day, at least once a day, to ensure they are healthy and behaving normally.

What are male alpacas called?
Male alpacas are called macho's, males, studs or herd sires, and castrated males are called wethers.

What are female alpacas called?
Female alpacas are known as hembras, females or dams.

What is a cria?
A cria is a baby alpaca.

Can male and female alpacas live together?
No. Alpaca males and females should be kept in same-sex herds only. Males can physically damage females and each same-sex group will have its own established hierarchy. Due to the unique reproductive cycle of female alpacas, males are typically only brought to the female for a planned, observed, pen mating, before returning to their own male group. 

What alpacas are best for beginners?
Companion wethers are often recommended as they are calm, established and easier to manage.

Why are wethers popular starter alpacas?
They are social, low drama and ideal for learning about alpacas and their husbandry requirements. Non-breeding females are also an option but not so widely available and tend to be older animals. 

Should beginners start with breeding alpacas?

Breeding alpacas is much more involved than keeping a small herd of wethers. Additional land, infrastructure, time, knowledge and expense is required, as well as a long term plan. Whilst breeding alpacas as a beginner is absolutely possible, more research and learning is required before you buy your first animals. 

Do alpacas need a field shelter?
Yes. Ideally a light airy three sided field shelter, or Alpaca Pod (https://tockwithalpacas.com/al) which protects alpacas from wind, rain and extreme weather.

What fencing is best for alpacas?
Strong stock fencing four feet high is typically suitable. Buried perimeter fencing is recommended to keep out wildlife and pet dogs. 

Do alpacas need handling facilities?
A small pen or handling area is useful for feeding, observation, handling, health checks and husbandry. 

Can alpacas live with other animals?
Ideally alpacas will have their own paddock to minimise risks of injury (horses, goats), eating unsafe feed (sheep, goats), exposure to intestinal parasites (sheep) etc. However, risk can sometimes be managed according to risk assessment, temperaments and careful management.

What do alpacas eat?
Alpacas are classified as browsers. Whilst they mainly eat a diverse range of grass species, they do also like to browse hedgerows.  Hay should always be provided all year round to ensure access to the long stem fibre required for optimum health.

Do alpacas need special feed?
Yes. Alpacas require higher levels of minerals than other farmed animals. Daily camelid-specific mineral supplements are formulated to be fed daily.

Can alpacas overeat?
Yes. Alpacas, especially wethers and non-breeding animals, can gain excess weight if fed unnecessary extra feeds and summer grazing is not managed carefully.

Should you find out from the seller the health history of the herd and what they do to protect alpacas from disease?

Yes. It's important to understand the health status of alpaca herds and what biosecurity measures are in place so that you can make informed decisions. 

How do you know if an alpaca is healthy?
Healthy alpacas appear alert, bright-eyed and move comfortably. Understanding what is normal behaviour for each individual animal will help to identify any changes.

What are signs of an unwell alpaca?
Signs may include sitting away from the rest of the herd, lethargy, weight loss, reduced appetite or abnormal posture.

Should new alpacas have a quarantine area?

Yes. A quarantine area for any new animals to a holding helps protect herd health by ensuring any health issues e.g. parasites, are detected and dealt with before mixing with the rest of the herd.

Always seek veterinary advice if you are unsure about the health status of any alpaca. 

How do you choose alpacas for your needs?
Consider your land, facilities, goals and level of experience.

Does alpaca colour matter?
Health, temperament and suitability matter more than colour. Colour, size and head style is a matter of personal preference. 

What does well handled alpaca mean? 

A well handled alpaca does not need to be halter trained for routine handling and husbandry. Well handled alpacas should be comfortable standing still in a catch pen to be handled and examined, always with companions.

Should alpacas be halter trained?
A halter trained alpaca should be comfortable having an alpaca-specific head collar fitted and be led with confidence. Alpacas should never been left unattended when wearing head collars. 

What should you expect when visiting an alpaca breeder /seller?
Healthy, inquisitive, friendly animals, good farm setup, knowledgeable advice and transparent management.

Should you visit several farms before buying alpacas?
Yes. Visiting multiple farms helps buyers learn and compare breeders and animals.

Should you see the whole herd?
Yes. Viewing the herd provides a clearer picture of overall health and management.

Can you handle alpacas when visiting a farm?

It depends on the reason for the visit. Yes, if you are selecting animals for purchase. 

What questions should you ask when buying alpacas?
Ask about farm biosecurity, health history, vaccinations, breeding records and husbandry routines. For breeding alpacas there are additional questions about pedigree, breeding history, DNA test results and fibre test information. 

Should alpacas come with health records?
Yes. Written records of vaccinations, worming and treatments should be provided.

Should alpacas be registered?
Yes. Registered alpacas provide traceability and pedigree information.

Should alpacas come with paperwork?
Yes. A proper alpaca sale should include a written bill of sale and transfer documents.

Should the breeder ask about your facilities and knowledge?
Yes. Responsible breeders will check that buyers can provide suitable care.

Why are alpacas sold in groups?
Compatible same-sex groups of at least 3 alpacas help alpacas settle quickly and maintain good welfare.

Sellers should not sell just two alpacas to a new home. Alpacas are herd animals and become very stressed unless in minimum groups of three. 

Can you buy just one alpaca?
No. Alpacas must always live with other alpacas.

Even if wanting to add one alpaca to an existing herd, best welfare practice is always to include a same-sex companion to minimise stress and allow for a quarantine period before mixing with the rest of the herd.

Why should beginners never ask to start with one male and one female?
This combination does not meet minimum welfare standards. Alpacas must live in same-sex groups with a hierarchy which ensures physical and mental welfare needs are met. Males, even wethers, can cause physical damage to females, even when pregnant. 

Why buy alpacas from a BAS Trusted Seller?
Trusted Sellers commit to follow recognised standards for responsible alpaca sales.

What does a BAS Trusted Seller provide?
Trusted Sellers commit to provide paperwork, animal records and ongoing after-sales support.

Why is after-sales support important when buying alpacas?
New owners benefit from guidance about feeding, health care and management and breeders will want their alpacas to thrive in their new home. 

Are Trusted Sellers required to transfer alpaca ownership properly?
Yes. Ownership and registry transfers must be completed correctly after sale, paid by the seller.

Should you learn about alpacas before buying them?
Yes. Practical and theoretical education helps new owners provide the best care for their animals.

Are alpaca training courses available?
Yes. Many breeders offer practical alpaca husbandry training courses.

What is BAS Affiliate alpaca training?
BAS Affiliate Training provides structured education covering alpaca care and management.

What do alpaca training courses teach?
Courses often cover feeding, handling, health care, breeding, and fibre.

Why attend an alpaca training course before buying alpacas?
Training helps buyers understand the responsibilities of alpaca ownership and provides the opportunity to handle and interact with alpacas.

Are alpacas expensive to keep?
Costs include grazing, hay, routine veterinary care and husbandry supplies.

Are alpacas friendly?
Alpacas are naturally curious but not cuddly and generally prefer calm, respectful handling.

Do alpacas bite?
Biting is uncommon and usually related to poor handling or behavioural issues.

Are alpacas good for smallholdings?
Yes. Alpacas are popular livestock for smallholdings and rural properties.

Can alpacas be kept with horses?

It is not advised. They can share pasture in some situations but careful management is required due to risk of injury. 

What matters most when buying alpacas?
Responsible breeders, healthy animals, and good husbandry knowledge.

Should alpaca buying be an impulse decision?
No. Alpaca ownership should always be carefully considered.

Should you trust your instincts when visiting a farm?
Yes. If something does not feel right it is sensible to keep looking.

What should buyers feel after purchasing alpacas?
Confident that their alpacas are healthy and supported by knowledgeable advice.

If you’re starting to plan your own setup, our guide to keeping alpacas in the UK covers land, facilities and practical considerations.