Alpaca
Vicunga pacos
Here at Banham Zoo
Meet our cheerful pair of alpacas at Banham Zoo. These two are easy to tell apart thanks to their different coat colours. Alpacas are domesticated animals cherished for their famously soft, warm, and hypoallergenic wool.
Although they look super cuddly, alpacas also make excellent guard animals, capable of fending off predators such as foxes and coyotes. They can weigh up to 90kg!
Did you know? Alpacas have a three-chambered stomach, which helps them extract as many nutrients as possible from their food.
Where Do I Live?
All over the world
The alpaca is a domestic species, believed to be descended from the vicuña, the national animal of Peru. They are kept in herds that graze in the Andes mountains, but are also now found all over the world as a domestic species.
What Do I Eat?
Alpacas are grazers, feeding on grasses and other plants. Like other members of the camel family, alpacas have a three-chambered stomach, allowing them to extract as much nutrition from their food as possible.
How Do I Breed?
After a pregnancy of over eleven months one young, called a cria, is born, although twins are sometimes seen. Young are weaned at around six months of age and can live for around 15 to 20 years.
Together, we protect wildlife
Conservation status
Not Evaluated (NE)
Not yet assessed for extinction risk.
Alpaca are domesticated animals so are not endangered. They were bred for their fur, known as alpaca fibre, as it is warm, silky and also hypo-allergenic.
Some Helpful Links
Where is the
Alpaca
located?
Our
Alpaca
is located in our
Hoofstock Zone
, map reference
3
.
What’s the best time to see the animals?
The best time to see our animals is often during feeding times or in the cooler parts of the day when they are most active. Check our daily timetable for keeper talks and feeding sessions for an up-close look! Our habitat signage also includes helpful hints and tips to make the most of your visit.
How do you ensure the animals' welfare?
Animal welfare is our top priority. We provide species-specific habitats, enrichment activities, and expert veterinary care to ensure all our animals thrive.
