Small Ruminant Nutrition: Alpaca

Question 1

Alpacas can perform better than sheep when using poor quality roughage. Why?

Answer 1

Good adaptation to semi-arid environments

(efficienct output of energy and protein on limited quality feed)

Question 2

Origin of Alpacas

Answer 2

South American Camelids

They are NOT true ruminants

Question 3

4 major particularities of the Alpaca digestive tract

Answer 3

1) Unique lips -> upper is split by a labian cleft
2) Each slide is independent of the other -> high selection
3) Tongue does not participate in grabbing food
4) Alpacas do not lick themselves, their young or mineral blocks

Question 4

3 Functions of Glandular Saccules

Answer 4

1) Nutrient absorption
2) Addition of mucus secretions, gylcoproteins and urea
3) Secrete bicarbonate ions for buffering capacity

Question 5

How often do Alpacas eat and ruminate per day?

Answer 5

Eat for 5-6 hours per day

Ruminate for 8-9 per day

Question 6

Out of the 3 stomach compartments, what is the location and volume of C-1?

Answer 6

C-1 lies on the left hand side of the abdomen and makes up about 80% of forestomach volume