Colorado alpaca adventures package right now: Still, you should always remember to treat alpacas with space and respect. Alpacas don’t like being grabbed or held, and they are often particularly sensitive to being touched on the head. Instead, allow them to approach you at their own pace. This often results in a much more rewarding and affectionate response. If you’re looking for an age-appropriate experience for the entire family, you’ve met your match. Interacting with alpacas is safe for everyone from little kids to elderly members of your crew. There are no age restrictions — kids 2 and under are free. Read even more information on where to see alpacas in Denver, Colorado.

As herbivores, alpacas only eat vegetation. They eat mostly grass, but their diets can also include leaves wood, bark or stems. Like other ruminants, alpacas have a three-chambered stomach that digests the roughage efficiently. Unlike other grazers, alpacas don’t eat much. According to the Alpaca Owners Association, a 125-lb. (57 kg) animal only eats around 2 lbs. (907 grams) per day. In general, alpacas eat 1.5 percent of their body weight each day.

Still, seeing alpacas on a ranch in what many consider to be a big city out West can be a bit mind-boggling. What is life like on the ranch? What does an alpaca eat? Do they run and play with each other? Are alpacas high maintenance and easy to care for? Get all your questions just like this (and more!) answered. Your expert guide will fill you in on what it’s like to live and work on an alpaca farm. It offers views of the gorgeous surrounding areas : Do you want to see Colorado mountain views without needing to hike? Whether you’re traveling with a large group, have small children in tow, or just don’t like hiking, this experience will allow you to take in scenic mountain views in a unique way. When you go behind the scenes on the ranch, you learn about much more than just the animals. You have the opportunity to talk about the economy, trade, production, local handmade goods, and so much more.

Are alpacas an “exotic species,” or are they considered simply “livestock?” Alpacas have been raised as domestic livestock for thousands of years. Since the end-product of alpacas is their fleece, like sheep, they are classified as livestock by both the United States and Canadian federal governments. Do alpacas spit? All members of the camel family use spitting as a means of negative communication. They do get possessive around food, and may express annoyance by spitting at other alpacas that they perceive are encroaching on “their” food. Also, they often spit at one another during squabbles within the herd (usually involving two or more males). From time to time alpacas do spit at people on purpose, but it is more common that humans get caught in the crossfire between alpacas, so it’s best to study their behavior and learn to avoid the most vulnerable situations. See additional info on meetalpacas.com.

As with all livestock, owners and visitors should use common sense and a degree of caution when working around alpacas. People working with alpacas should wear long pants and shoes or boots that have traction and cover the whole foot. Proper handling of alpacas, as well as all camelids, requires humans gaining their trust by using a calm voice and light restraint. Handling alpacas for herd husbandry is best taught to novice alpaca owners by experienced owners or experts.

What do alpacas eat? Alpacas mainly eat grass or hay. They consume approximately two pounds per 125 pounds of body weight or approximately 1.5% of the animal’s body weight daily in hay or fresh pasture. Grass hay is recommended, and alfalfa can be fed sparingly. Many owners feed higher rates of alfalfa to alpacas that are skinny, or live in very cold temperatures. Alpacas are pseudo-ruminants, with a single stomach divided into three compartments. They produce rumen and chew cud and are able to process this modest amount of food very efficiently. Many alpacas (especially pregnant and lactating females) will benefit from nutritional and mineral supplements, depending on local conditions. There are several manufactured alpaca and llama feeds and mineral mixes available. Consult with your local veterinarian to ensure you are providing an appropriate diet for your area. Alpacas also need access to plenty of fresh water to drink.

Alpacas hum; they make a sound like “mmm,” according to Alpaca Ventures. However, they also shriek when danger is present, and make a sound similar to a “wark” noise when excited. Fighting males scream, making a warbling bird-like cry. Alpacas in a herd all use the same area as a bathroom instead of defecating in random areas like many animals do. This behavior helps control parasites, according to the FAO. Males often have cleaner dung piles than females, according to Alpaca Ventures. Females tend to stand in a line and all go at once.