Huacaya (wah-KI-ya) - The “teddy bear” alpaca, whose full coat presents a round woolly appearance. The Huacaya fleece is crimped and very dense.
Suri (SIR-ee) - The alpaca with dreadlocks. The Suri has long, non-crimped, lustrous “pencils” growing downward.
Cria (KREE-ah) - Baby alpaca 0-6 months of age.
Weanling - 6-12 months of age.
Yearling - 12 months to 2 years of age.
Adult, Mature - 2 years of age and over.
Maiden - Unproven, breeding age female.
Junior Herd Sire - Unproven, breeding age male.
Herd Sire - Proven, breeding age male.
Unproven - Hasn’t produced offspring.
Proven - Has produced offspring.
Absorb - Loss of pregnancy in early months.
Orgle - The sound a male alpaca makes while breeding a female.
Alarm Call - Alert or warning sound. High pitched whistle.
Hum - Hmmmmmm . . . . Sound alpacas make when they perceive things to be “not quite right.”
Scream - Screech alpacas make when they are fighting or fussing.
Pronking - Running and hopping in the air with all 4 feet off the ground at once. Picture “Pepe le Pew” above.
Spit - Partially digested stomach contents.
Cush - Sitting/Lying down with all 4 legs tucked up under their body.
Agist - Boarding alpacas off your property.
Skirting - Preparing fleece sheared off the alpaca for show or processing.