ANSC 160 Lecture Notes - Lecture 7: Alpaca, Plantigrade, Hemoglobin
Document Summary
Initially, breeding animals are extremely expensive (,000-50,000: often approached as get rich quick scheme. Old world camelids: dromedary camel (1 hump, bactrian camel (2 humps) South american camelids (sac: llama, alpaca, vicuna, guanaco. 3 chambered stomachs: similar in function to ruminant forestomach. Oval shaped red blood cells: shape of cells and biologically unique hemoglobin allow efficient oxygen carrying. Species have been domesticated for 6000 years. Many traditional uses: pack animals fiber, meat, sacrificial animal. Prior to mid 1980s primarily in zoos. Popularity and numbers of llamas and alpacas in us has risen steadily over last 20 years. Primarily used as a companion animal and for commercial breeding. Secondary uses include packaging, fiber, guard animals for sheep flocks. Most animals in us are halter broke llama chute can be used to restrain animals for some maintenance and veterinary procedures. Access to shade and water is imperative in the summer.
