Cria...

A cria (pronounce cree-ah) is the name for a baby alpaca (llama, vicuna, or guanaco also).
Our cria are usually born in the spring.

This is Cody a 2 hour old cria.

After an 11-month gestation period the cria is born with the whole herd gathering around in an attempt to protect against potential predators. Alpacas give birth standing so life begins with a none-to-graceful flop to the earth. Birth is usually (as for most prey animals) relatively quick and problem free and the whole emergence typically takes less than 30 minutes. Most births take place between 8am and noon – while unproven it is speculated that this birthing pattern is a continuation of the birthing patterns observed in the alpaca's wild ancestors. Alpaca crias typically weigh between 14 and 18 lbs at birth and look like something straight from the imagination of Dr. Seuss – a quaint cross between fawn, lamb and giraffe calf…like all nature's babies utterly adorable and amazingly resilient. Crias and dams begin their bonding rituals immediately after birth, getting to know each other's smell and also sound. One of the most charming bonding methods, in my opinion, is in their quaint vocalizations – mothers and babies will hum back and forth to one another in creaky, kazoolike murmurs. I'm not sure what they are saying but as an enchanted onlooker, or should that be 'onlistener' the sound is somehow soothing and indicative of an 'all's right with the world' general feeling. It is a treat and a privilege to be allowed to listen in!

[ Top ]