WHAT are these animals?

Discussion in 'Wildlife Corner' started by roders, Feb 2, 2008.

  1. roders

    roders Total Gardener

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    [​IMG] I suspect they are Llamas,but not 100% sure.

    Didn't realy expect to see a field of them on my travels, just outside Royston Herts.
    They seemed happy enough in the sunshine.

    Anyone else have any living nearby? and what do they do with them.......dare I ask [​IMG]


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  2. Sarraceniac

    Sarraceniac Gardener

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    I think they could be alpacas which is a smaller llama famous for its very fine (and very expensive) wool. Llamas also are sheared for wool. It is not true that mohair comes from the mo. Mos have been extinct since Ed met the last herd. :D
     
  3. Victoria

    Victoria Lover of Exotic Flora

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    What lovely photos, my dearest. You can see what friendly characters they are being so interested in you photographing them. [​IMG]

    I agree with John, they could be alpacas but I think they are llamas which are popular "pets" to have these days. They are excellent with children, cats, dogs, chickens, geese, horses ... they can even round sheep up and are very good at keeping foxes away! You can actually take them on walks with a lead.

    Also, as John rightly says they are famous for their fleece which is very fine and expensive to make sweaters, coats and such like.

    Lovely critters and they are becoming more and more popular, even here.
     
  4. Gogs

    Gogs Gardener

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    Alpacas for definite,had them as neighbours a few years ago.Got a pic. somewhere of them!
     
  5. Kedi-Gato

    Kedi-Gato Gardener

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  6. wiseowl

    wiseowl Amiable Admin Staff Member

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  7. Victoria

    Victoria Lover of Exotic Flora

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    Okay, I acquiese with all this knowledge here ... alpacas as opposed to llamas, just smaller critters with the same wonderful personalities.

    If I had land, I would certainly have some, along with goats, which I adore. [​IMG] We have many, many goat herds here which I see everytime I go out, dozens and dozens of them in every imaginable colour.
     
  8. EileenR

    EileenR Gardener

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    Yes I think Alpacas too. We have three living near us. Seem to be quite popular now.
     
  9. roders

    roders Total Gardener

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    [​IMG] I would love one,they tick all the boxes for a good pet..............but havn't got room for more than one and they need each others company.

    [ 03. February 2008, 10:25 AM: Message edited by: roders ]
     
  10. shiney

    shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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    I agree with alpacas - lovely animals [​IMG] . Llamas are a bit bigger with rougher coats.

    Guanacos are also part of the same family and are generally bigger than llamas with rougher and thicker coats and they usually live higher up in the Andes.

    Vicunas are the smallest of the family and have the softest and finest coats - and clothes made from vicuna are the most expensive.

    Here is one of my favourite photos of alpacas that I took when in Arequipa in Peru. It was four days old when I took the photo and it was born on Christmas day.

    [​IMG]
     
  11. wiseowl

    wiseowl Amiable Admin Staff Member

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    Hi Shiney Lovely photo of an elegant creature. [​IMG]
     
  12. Kedi-Gato

    Kedi-Gato Gardener

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    I just love the little darling [​IMG]

    Well, it appears that most of us would love to have some. If we lived closer together, then everyone could have one or two and put them all into one big herd, like the one near roders.
     
  13. rosa

    rosa Gardener

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    lovely pics roders and shiney what a sweetie i want a one its so sweet. [​IMG] [​IMG]
     
  14. shiney

    shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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    woo said
    -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Hi Shiney Lovely photo of an elegant creature.
    -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    woo, its an alpaca not an elephant [​IMG] [​IMG] [​IMG] [​IMG]
     
  15. Sarraceniac

    Sarraceniac Gardener

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    Wasn't he a jazz singer? Elephant Gerald. [​IMG]
     
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