Do Alpacas Attack People?
Atlas
There has been a flurry of emotion on the internet recently following a man being bitten by an alpaca and being air-lifted to a hospital. Alpaca haters (can you believe there are such persons?) are getting a kick out of the idea that cute, cuddly-looking critters could hurt someone. These same people would probably go see a movie about killer bunnies.
The story is shocking and does raise some questions.
How Can An Alpaca Hurt You?
Fighting Teeth
We usually see pictures of alpacas when they are at their cutest. As an industry, and myself personally – we can’t help but share the cuteness. However, we must remember that there are grown males in the alpaca world. Males with testosterone. Males who just wanna breed. (That’s how we get those cute babies so it works for us).
Male alpacas get what are called “fighting teeth” at the back of their mouths on the sides. In the wild this is one of the only weapons alpaca males would have to fight each other for doiminance and the right to breed the females. It is customary to cut male alpaca’s fighting teeth, which are very sharp and pointy like a shark’s tooth, as they come in. On our farm we check males for fighting teeth several times a year. These teeth come in as the males reaches sexual maturity. We check yearlings and up. If the alpaca has fighting teeth that need to be trimmed, we use obstetric wire and saw them off. The process takes a minute or two, and then your alpaca is “safe” and ready to go. Often this only has to be done once in a male’s lifetime.
What happens if you don’t cut the fighting teeth? They can puncture a herdmate while fighting or “play” fighting. Adult alpaca males are generally housed together and spend some of their time neck wrestling and chasing each other around. This is something they do playfully, as well as seriously to establish dominance. Alpacas have distinct personalities and they have a pecking order and social roles.
For example, in the early years of our alpaca herd, we had two boys with strong personalities. Atlas had a lot of presence. He was all about being the top dog. He had to be the leader of the herd. We joked that he slept with one eye open. It was so important to Atlas that he be in charge that he was ever vigilant that another alpaca would try to take that role away from him.
Then there was Spook. (He had a ring around his eye which made his previous owners say he looked like a Halloween spook – the name stuck) Spook was all about the girls. He reminded me of the swarthy male character in the movies who is all about being slick and who would do anything to get girls. He was short too, which made me think of a Joe Pesci character. Spook let Atlas be the head honcho. It seemed as though Spook was telling Atlas, “You be in charge. You’re such a good leader…Leave the ladies to me.” Atlas seemed to be okay with that arrangement.
Body Slamming
This brings me to the other way a person could be injured by an alpaca. When alpaca males fight they body slam each other. They may go up on their hind legs and see who can push each other over. Think about when you’ve seen stallions or big cats fighting.
Often when we put a new male alpaca into the pen with other male alpacas, one will come over and body slam the newest member of the group. Think of it as hazing. The old guy is telling the new guy – “Hey, watch your step, buddy.” When a herdmate is out of line, they might get body slammed.
Usually alpacas do NOT body slam humans. They generally see us as another species and treat us completely differently than they would one of their herdmates. Adult male alpacas are pretty easy to be around and they do not scare me a bit. I don’t let my young (unpredictable) children in the adult male pen without me there because if one were to do something to annoy a male or accidentally get between two arguing males, they might get kicked. Mind you I am not worried they could be killed (like being kicked by a horse can do) just that they could be injured by accident.
The one time that an alpaca has knocked me down in 10 years came when I was bending over to check the udder of a female on the other side of the fence. All of a sudden I was on the ground. Spook had seen me getting too close for comfort to one of his ladies and came over and body slammed me. Normally an alpaca male would not see a human as a threat, but he was a walking ball of testosterone and I think it clouded his thinking that day. She was an open female, and he thought I was invading his turf. I wasn’t injured by the incident. I did, however, learn more about male alpacas and their behavior.
A problem can occur when a male alpaca does bond with humans too much as a youngster. Here’ s how this can manifest into a problem. The little male alpaca is cute. He wants to play. (Most alpacas only want to play with other alpacas but occasionally you have an abnormally friendly alpaca who wants to play with humans.) The human thinks this is adorable and fun. They pet the alpaca, and when he nibbles their clothes and jumps up towards them – they find it delightful. Some people even encourage the little male to jump up and play body slamming games with him. It’s a lot of fun.
Until the alpaca is all grown up, and weighs 200 lbs. Then he comes and body slams you (or heaven forbid a farm visitor) in the field. And it’s not so fun anymore.
This is why we have to have boundaries with our alpacas. They are fabulously cute, but if they think they are a person or that you are an alpaca like them – they will behave accordingly. The males will see you as someone to fight for the right to breed.
Staying Safe around Alpacas
- Cut fighting teeth on males
- Establish boundaries for appropriate behavior when they are young
- Don’t walk directly behind them or touch their rear end when standing behind them. Like many animals they can kick. It’s not a devastating kick but it can hurt and leave a bruise.
If you do these things and be aware of your alpacas and their behavior, I believe that you will be safe. Alpacas are a very gently animal by nature. While male alpacas can possibly injure a person, it is my opinion that they are generally less dangerous than horses or cattle. Most vets I know will agree.
What are your thoughts?
August 27th, 2009 at 8:12 am
Well, to be honest, I can’t imagine how there would be such a furor over the incident in the first place. This is an animal we are talking about, and any animal can either deliberately or accidentally inflict harm. One of my most painful bites was from a hampster years ago, seriously!
I come to your site because I truly know little about these lovely animals, but am very interested in having a few in the future, so it’s very reassuring to read your explanation of their behaviour. Everything I’ve read seems to confirm that they are pretty docile animals, but if you put a human between 2 bickering beasties of any breed you’re asking for trouble!
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August 27th, 2009 at 8:34 am
Ahhh yes, and I think it’s all about respect. I respect my herd, and they are all taught to respect me as well as other humans. No nibbling at my pockets,etc. (although it is hard because it is so cute when a baby does it!) Lots of appropriate interaction is good but all based on r-e-s-p-e-c-t…. to quote Aretha Franklin , who by the way is the name one of the alpacas here!
this is a photo of alpacas playing the chest butt game -I do not care to play this with them!http://twitpic.com/fg3c0
August 27th, 2009 at 8:36 am
I’m amazed the story gained as much traction as it did. It even made the gutter rag The Sun in which the farmer said it was the first known incident of its type in the UK for 20-odd years. I think that kinda proves they’re not much of a danger.
Incidentally a farmer friend’s just been left with a shattered hip and punctured lung. He was charged by one of his bull cows. Now that’s a dangerous animal!
Anthony Blears´s last blog ..Choosing your stud male alpacas
August 27th, 2009 at 9:18 am
I have one male who is very friendly with people. He seemed to get jealous whenever I was spending too much time with other people or alpacas. He would pull my ponytail. We all though it was cute. He was about 1 1/2 years old and 165#. Never an incident.
Then we moved the herd to another farm. He was corraled agacent to open females and he learned we was the strongest male. He jumped on the farm owner and tore his shirt. He jumped on me and pulled out some hair. Finally he tackled me and would not let me up. He was 2 1/2 years old and 200#.
The farm owners were very nice. They were sad when I found a new (and current) farm to keep my herd. I was now afraid of my alpaca, but more concerned he might hurt one of their kids.
At the new farm, there are more males and they are kept a good distance away from the females. My guy’s behaviour improved, but he was still agressive toward me, and only me.
I decided to treat him the way a disinterested lady alpaca would. When he came near, I showed him my rear, looked over my shoulder, scowled and gave him a swift kick to the chest. He took the hint and we’ve been fine ever since.
As we set up our own place, this post is a good reminder for me to keep the males a good distance from the females.
Alapcamundo | Kathryn´s last blog ..30 Day Habit: After 7 Days
August 27th, 2009 at 9:20 am
Very nicely written!
I volunteer with the Education Department at the St. Louis Zoo. Often I have contact animals out to show to the public and I’m often asked ‘Does it bite?’ I tell our zoo visitors that anything with a mouth can bite ~_*
August 27th, 2009 at 1:39 pm
Katy…..yes they do. I had a female alpaca(lets call her “Babs”) that was very protective of all her cria not just the current ones. I was giving a shot to one of “Babs” older cria. “Babs” did not like that and started machine gunning me with spit. A bit agitated I took off my shoes and socks and stuck my sock over her mouth. She continued to try and spit but was getting a face full spit back. I returned to giving the shot to the cria. I was thinking I was pretty smart but lets just say “Babs” was smarter that day. Just then I looked up and “Babs” bit me on the bridge of my nose through the sock and taking off the skin. If tt wasn’t humiliating enough being bit by the “Babs” ….explaining the story to my co-workers provided humor for days at the office.
August 28th, 2009 at 4:15 am
We look after llama boys too – you have to be aware around them just on the off-chance of body slamming just because they are so huge and heavy. I’d say the other thing is never to have your neck over a bent camelid neck, eg when you are bending to put feed out, as the llama or alpaca can raise its head suddenly and damage your neck or windpipe. Oh yes, and mums are very protective of crias sometimes – they can also slam you a little.
Lucy´s last blog ..Yet more sad news but fighting back!
August 28th, 2009 at 6:32 pm
I work with horses and pacas…and I would rather be kicked by an alpaca any day. Yes it hurts and yes it bruises but I have seen what a love tap from my fave horse can do to … fortunately not to me. We routinely cut the fighting teeth on all males. The closest I have ever come to a body slam is taking the males to and from the pens for matings…they are so focused and determined! And yes, injections for cria – I have also learnt to leave mum in one pen and corral the cria about 2 pens away…they can still see and hear but I am safe from being slimed although I copped a sandblast of a spit to the face when returning the cria. For once I was happy I was wearing glasses!
September 1st, 2009 at 12:11 pm
Mental note to self: If and when I get hold of some of these lovely critters, make sure I have supply of protective anti-spit face and eye-wear!
I just love these stories!
*smitten*
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December 8th, 2010 at 6:42 am
We have recently acquired 2 male alpaca.One is larger than the other and is clearly the pack leader. I have personally been slammed from behind by him while cleaning in his paddock. The are no female alpaca around for miles!
The other day, my husband and I were working in the alpaca stall with our kids and the 3 year old wandered out close to the alpaca without our knowing it. I heard him cry and saw him on the ground next to the alpaca, who was “sniffing” him. Before I could go and help him up, the alpaca was stomping him and then proceeded to lay across him with his neck! I’m not sure who was traumatized by it more, me or my 3 year old! In the end, he was completely uninjured. Anyone have any helpful comments or suggestions?
December 10th, 2010 at 11:23 am
This behavior should have been stopped when the alpaca was young, but, sadly now you have a “problem” alpaca on your hands. I would recommend that you NOT bring your children into the pen with such an alpaca. And you will need to learn how to stop him from ramming into you. This is not acceptable behavior. For more information on alpaca training and handling visit http://www.camelidynamics.com
June 3rd, 2011 at 12:49 pm
Hi,
Just got body slammed by Dylan our three year old stud, so I have been reading this with great interest and a very sore thigh.
We’ve never seen cause to be particularly cautious around him, but events today have been a lesson all round.
Background: we have a small herd, 3 pregnant females, 2 open females, 1 yearling male, 4 geldings and Dylan, our stud.
Today we sheared the two open females, as they are due to be mated over the weekend with a visiting stud from a nearby farm (not here yet).
There is a gap of three metres between the boys paddock and the girls, but as soon as the newly sheared girls returned to their paddock, Dylan started making the alarm call and being very agitated. The girls ignored him, and we didn’t think too much of it.
Several hours later, Dylan was quieter, but still focused on the girls. I went into the paddock to clean it, with Gwen, my dog, as I normally do, and the next thing I am flying, not too gracefully, through the air. He gave me a serious dead leg, with his knees, I assume – I didn’t actually see any of it. It was a hell of a shock, I can tell you. Just picked myself up and got out of there as quickly as I could – very worried in case he had a go at Gwen with whom he is normally best of friends.
So … learning as we go, as ever. Not sure why the shearing set him off – alpaca stuff, I suppose, but I know now to be much more cautious when there is testosterone in the air.
August 8th, 2011 at 7:32 pm
we were recently visiting an alpacca farm,
when out of the blue a female Alpacca body slammed ( from the back)my friend,
she was talking to the owner (lady) of the farm for quite a while
standing close to her ,
we now wander why this happened as my friend was not even aware an alpacca was around, the distance must have been some 6 meters or more.
Could it be jealousy, as the owner did mention this female Alpacca was bottle fed by her
thank you
Kim
August 14th, 2011 at 9:55 am
Kim,
We don’t always know, of course, why some alpacas display abhorrent behavior. My guess is that the alpaca you are talking about did not learn the proper alpaca/human boundaries. Bottle feeding probably played a role in this. When alpacas “think they are people” they tend to “play” with people they way they would another alpaca, which includes jumping on them, and smashing into them. Alpacas do that with each other. So while it’s not okay for the alpaca to do that with a human, it WOULD be okay for that alpaca to do that with another alpaca. Somewhere along the way, she got that confused.
I hope that makes a little sense. I don’t think the alpaca is “mean” or trying to be “attacking” so much as she is just REALLY confused and messed up psychologically for an alpaca. Lol! Sorry to say… And I really try hard to set the proper boundaries with our cria so they are not “too” friendly so they don’t grow up to do that to me!
~Katy
September 21st, 2011 at 7:22 am
Hello from Canada, Just acquired our first alpaca, adoption as he was a spitter.
Been here for 4 days no spitting.
Scooter is 8 years old, gelded, and was with other gelding and one goat.
Has been great, gives kisses when we ask.
Put him in two days ago with our small goat herd, pygmys, seems to like them, herds them, when I call him in to feed he comes to barn for his grain.
Last night, husband was down on ground fixing fence, Scooter went up over him, i think it was due to a breeding thing, but when i went in a few hours later, i was giving him a treat of grain from my hand he raised up like a stallion on me, I yelled at him and he went down, it looked like he was ready to spit, so I turned from him and cautiously entered the saftey of the barn.
Friends who have females think he is being dominate and we have to be wary, we dont hit, suggeseted more lead walks to establish dominance or take him away from goats, but he is happy with them doing what he is meant to do, protect. But we are not enemy, any suggestions would be great. Thanks so much on your articles.