Alpacas are gentle and quite intelligent. Spitting is a communication behavior between alpacas, and they rarely spit at people unless provoked.

Only if you work really hard at trying to aggravate them! Llamas normally spit only at each other when they're fighting or in defense. We give a trip orientation over breakfast the first morning of the trip, during which we discuss llama handling. See similar questions...

Alpacas will occasionally spit at each other. This sometimes happens at feeding times, and other times when dominance is being asserted. Alpacas, unlike llamas, do not spit at people, though if people get in between, they might get hit! See similar questions...

Alpacas spit as a sign of dominance over other alpacas. They may spit if they are very frightened and will also spit at males to show they are pregnant and not at all interested in their attentions! See similar questions...

No Alpacas do not bite. They do spit at each other when annoyed, but rarely on people. Some protective mothers will spit if they feel their baby is threatened. See similar questions...

Llamas and alpacas come from Peru, Bolivia, and Chile, in the high plains areas called the " Altiplano" (elevation: 8,000'-15,000' ). Llamas were first brought to the United States by William Randolph Hearst in the 1920's for his personal zoo. Alpacas were imported much more recently, beginning in the '80s. See similar questions...

Size and fiber quality. Llamas were primarily bred to be a beast of burden, and alpacas were bred primarily as fiber producers. An average alpaca stands 34"-36" at the withers, where llamas stand 42"-48" at the withers. An adult alpaca will generally produce 5-8 lbs of high quality exotic uniformly crimped fiber in a single fiber fleece, each year. See similar questions...

Llamas were raised as beasts of burden for centuries in South America. Alpacas have been bred for thousands of years for their fine and exquisite fiber. See similar questions...

Alpacas will spit at each other over issues of food, dominance, protecting their cria and to reject the approach of a breeding male when the female is already pregnant. They are also known to spit at humans during those rare occasions of extreme stress, such as the Spring shearing. Alpacas make a delightful humming sound and will make a shrill bugle sound to warn the herd of danger. Breeding males make an orgling sound when mating. See similar questions...

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Llamas are grazers and browsers. This means that they eat grass and leaves from bushes and trees. In a farm setting, you will want to supply clean, fresh water, a salt/mineral source, good quality grass hay in the winter, and a grassy pasture in spring, summer and fall. We also supplement our llamas with a specially formulated 'llama chow' that is available from various suppliers. See similar questions...

Llamas generally vary in size from about 36 to 48 inches at at the shoulder, but smaller or larger llamas can be found. Their adult weights range from about 200 to in excess of 500 pounds. See similar questions...

Yes, they do spit, but usually at each other; this being over disputes about food primarily. A bred female llama will spit at advances from a male llama. An over-handled llama, improperly socialized without other llamas present, will think humans are llamas and will spit as a normal course of action against the other "llama". A mistreated or mishandled llama may also spit at humans. It's important to recognize llama body language. They'll give you every warning they can. See similar questions...