Overview
Alpaca appears on the Exotic Wildlife Association species list as Alpaca — ESA: Not Listed; CITES: N/A. [1]
Native range
The native range of Lama pacos includes the central and southern Andes from Peru to Argentina at elevations of up to 4800 meters. [2]
Size
55–65 kg (ADW range). [2]
Lifespan
20 years (captivity, average); 5 to 10 years (wild, typical); 25.8 years (captivity, average). [2]
Breeding & gestation
Gestation 242–345 days; average 190.5 days; offspring per birth: 1; females mature at 12 to 15 months. [2]
Temperament & social structure
Not verified from a primary source for this page.
Habitat needs
Alpacas inhabit the Andean Altiplano, i.e. the Andean high plateau, preferably near wet areas. ADW biomes: savanna or grassland, mountains. Elevation range 1000–4800 m. [2]
Where they thrive (Texas / US)
Not verified from a primary source for this page.
Space per animal
No verified species-specific stocking rate was found. Carrying capacity depends on rainfall, range condition and competing grazers—get a range/stocking assessment (NRCS or Texas A&M AgriLife).
Housing & shelter
Not verified from a primary source for this page.
Fencing
No primary-source fencing standard was verified for this species; get containment advice from an experienced keeper or veterinarian.
Natural diet
Lama pacos is a strict grazer. In a highland region of Chile, Castellano et al. reported that the alpaca diet was dominated by grasses such as Festuca nardifolia, Deschampsia caespitosa, and Agrostis tolucensis, cushion plants Oxychloe andina, bunch grasses Festuca orthophylla, and the woody shrub…. ADW diet type: herbivore, folivore. [2]
Feed & supplementation
No verified species-specific diet formulation was found for this page; follow a veterinarian or nutritionist.
Common health issues & parasites
No verified species-specific health list for this page; consult a veterinarian experienced with this species.
Vet care & vaccination
No vaccines are labeled for this species in the US; any vaccination protocol is extra-label and should be set by a veterinarian experienced with exotic hoofstock. (No specific protocol was verified for this page.)
Handling & capture
Capture myopathy—muscle damage from pursuit, restraint and transport—is often fatal in wild ungulates. Minimize chase time and stress, avoid hot conditions, use appropriate chemical immobilization by a vet, and release/unload quickly. [3]
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Domesticated form (not assessed separately); vicuña, its wild ancestor (Vicugna vicugna): Least Concern. [4]
Legal notes (general info, not legal advice)
General information, not legal advice. USDA APHIS licensing under the Animal Welfare Act applies to dealers and exhibitors; check USDA and your state wildlife and animal-health agencies before buying, moving or selling. [5][6]
Sources
- Exotic Wildlife Association – Endangered Species List (ESA status & CITES appendix)
- Animal Diversity Web (Univ. of Michigan) – Lama pacos
- Breed et al. 2019, Understanding capture myopathy (Conservation Physiology, PMC6612673)
- IUCN Red List – Vicugna pacos (assessment page)
- TPWD Outdoor Annual – Nongame, Exotic & Other Species (exotic status in Texas)
- USDA APHIS – Animal Welfare Act licensing & registration
Figures are taken from the numbered sources; items marked "not verified" could not be confirmed from a primary source and are intentionally left blank. Husbandry guidance is general—confirm with an exotic-animal veterinarian.