Best rated alpaca adventures and vacation recommendations in Colorado

Denver, Colorado alpaca adventures package right now: Wild guanacos and vicuñas live in a wide range of habitats, from the high and dry Atacama Desert in northern Chile to the wet and stormy Tierra del Fuego at the southern tip of the continent, according to the ADW. Alpacas are also native to the Andes, at elevations of up to 15,750 feet (4,800 meters). Alpacas, however, are very adaptable and have been exported all over the world, including the United States, New Zealand, Australia and the Netherlands, so their “habitat” is often farmland. Still, 99 percent of the world population of alpacas is found in South America, according to the ADW. Read more information on alpacas farm in Colorado.

It’s a photo-worthy activity: If you’re looking for a fun experience where you can take some Instagram-worthy shots, meeting alpacas is for you. You’ll be able to stand with them, pet them, feed them, and take photos with and of them. Not only are you interacting with an animal you’ve likely never hung out with before, but you’re also doing it in an incredibly scenic state. Capture some photos of you smiling with an alpaca for all your followers and friends to enjoy. 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.

Alpacas breed once a year, and as livestock they are often induced to breed at any time. The female alpaca has a gestation period of 242 to 345 days and gives birth to just one offspring. The birthing process can take up to seven hours, according to National Geographic (opens in new tab). The baby alpaca, called a cria, weighs 18 to 20 lbs. (8 to 9 kg) when it is born. The cria is weaned at 6 to 8 months, and females are ready to reproduce at 12 to 15 months. Males take a bit longer to mature and are ready to mate at 30 to 36 months. Alpacas live up to 20 years.

Are alpacas easy to care for? Alpacas are a small and relatively easy livestock to maintain. They stand about 36′ high at the withers (where the neck and spine come together) and weigh between 120 to 200 pounds. Like other types of livestock, alpacas need basic shelter and protection from heat and foul weather. Good nutrition is essential for healthy animals. Hay, minerals, and fresh clean water should be available at all times. Many alpaca owners also provide a nutritional supplement. Under a veterinarian’s direction, alpacas need vaccinations, preventive medication, and deworming. Alpacas also require yearly shearing to keep them cool in the summer. Alpacas do not have hooves; instead they have two toes, with hard toenails on top and a soft pad on the bottom of their feet. Their padded feet minimize the impact on the pasture. To ensure proper foot alignment and comfort, their toenails must be trimmed as needed.

What is an alpaca? Alpacas (vicugña pacos) are members of the Camelid Family and are a domesticated species of the South American camelid. Camelids originated in North America over 40 million years ago. Camels migrated east via the Bering Strait and llamas migrated to South America. Today there are five recognized camelids breeds: camels, llamas, guanacos, alpacas, and vicunas. They vary by size and purpose, some being used primarily as pack animals and others valued for their fiber. All are used in a secondary meat market. Camels, llamas, and alpacas have been domesticated for thousands of years, whereas guanacos and vicunas continue to roam freely in herds. Many people are familiar with humped camels: the dromedary of Northern Africa, the Middle East, and Southern Asia, and the Bactrian camel of China and Tibet. Next in size is the llama (domesticated guanaco), followed by the alpaca (domesticated vicuna).

Are you planning a trip to the Mile High City? Most people pack their itinerary with a Colorado Rockies baseball game, a concert at Red Rocks Park and Amphitheater, and a hike at Rocky Mountain National Park in addition to all of Denver’s museums and botanical gardens. Yet, if you’re looking for an off-the-beaten-path adventure, you can’t miss an alpaca experience. Over the last several decades, Denver has become home to these gorgeous animals because Colorado’s arid climate mimics that of their native habitat. Read additional information on https://meetalpacas.com/.

Alpacas have two sets of teeth for processing food. They have molars in the back of the jaw for chewing cud. In the front, alpacas have teeth on the bottom only and a hard gum (known as a dental pad) on the top for crushing grain, grass, or hay. Unlike goats and sheep that have long tongues which can rip plants out of the ground, alpacas have short tongues and nibble only the tops of grasses and other plants. This results in less disturbance of the vegetation. Alpacas will often eat shrubs or the leaves from trees if given the opportunity. This requires monitoring to ensure they do not consume harmful products.