Grabbing Some Rays:  If you notice your healthy alpaca laying dead still, on his side, all four feet sticking out, don’t panic. He may just be sunbathing. They do this often, especially in warm weather when a cool breeze on their belly would feels especially nice. On some occasions your alpaca will be so lost in his own little world that you can walk right up to him before he will jump to his feet and run away.

Pronking:  You will occasionally see your alpacas bouncing around the paddock, lifting all 4 feet off the ground at once with their tails held high. This is called "pronking". Crias in particular enjoy to pronk and chase each other around, and adults will sometimes join in the fun. This activity mostly happens at dusk and is very fun to watch.

Sulking:  When alpacas get upset they will "drop their lip". The bottom lip will become all droopy and fall away exposing the bottom teeth and gums. Some alpacas will take pieces of hay, grass or leaves into their mouths and just hold it there for extra effect. Saliva will sometimes drip from the bottom lip as well. If all this sounds rather pathetic, it is. They are sulking. Don't worry about it. They have probably just come off second best in a disagreement with another alpaca and they will get over it in a few minutes. (Often the sulking alpaca will have a few globs of green spit on their face as evidence of the disagreement!)

Dust Baths:  Alpacas love to roll. There will be spots in the paddock which become bare patches over time and your alpacas will line up to wait for their turn (except the bossy ones, that is. They just barge right in!) If it's been raining, those bare patches will be mud baths - they roll anyway!

 

It’s Mine! All of It!:  Alpacas don't like sharing their food, so some of them will sit on the hay to stop the others from getting it. If a handful of tasty food has already been offered to an alpaca, it becomes second hand and no one else will want it.

Being Nosey:  If you are doing some planting, fixing a fence or just messing around, it won't be too long before you have an audience. Alpacas like to know what's going on and more often than not they will all be there lined up along the fence checking out your handi-work. Likewise if you leave an item in the paddock when you're finished, a tool or piece of clothing, each alpaca will ensure the item is thoroughly looked over, sniffed and tasted before being delegated to their "boring items" list. They will revisit the item every now and again in case it might become edible.

Take a Swim: Alpacas like to keep cool when it's hot. They will dance in a sprinkler or dunk their feet in a water trough. Alpacas love kiddie pools on a hot summer day – as many as possible will maneuver themselves into the pool and cush (lie down) into the cool water while the others gather around the edge of the pool patiently waiting their turns.

Hummers:  Alpacas have a unique language. When they are moderately concerned about something they hum. Alpaca Mums hum to their crias. An alpaca who sees or senses danger will sound the "alarm call" which is a loud, high pitched squeal, sounding something like a cross between a bird and a donkey! It is impossible to ignore. Male alpacas "orgle" at females - They blow out their cheeks and sound like they're gargling.

Heritage Farm Suri Alpacas | Tim & Beth Sheets | Flora, IN | www.OurHeritageFarm.com

Super Sleuths:  Adult alpacas like to play games as well. If you're walking in the paddock they'll play detective and sneak up behind you. You know they are there because you can hear them, but if you turn suddenly, every alpaca will be head down grazing or looking off in another direction - just so you won't know they were following you.

Ten Unusual Alpaca Behaviors