7. Alpacas

Alpacas have been part of Chilworth’s family since 2007. After experimenting with highland cattle and considering a flock of sheep the decision was made that Alpaca would be the ‘lawn mower’ of choice at Chilworth. We later found that alpacas are quite poor at keeping the grass short. However, by that time it was too late, we had fallen in love with their curious nature and unique characters. Often when we hold events the alpacas will wander over and closely observe the activity from the other side of the fence.

Both alpacas and llamas are native to South America, specifically the Andes Mountain regions of Peru, Bolivia, and Chile. It is believed that the ancestors of both the alpaca and llama originated on the North America plains over 40 million years ago and migrated south. While closely related, llamas and alpacas are quite different animals. Llamas are much larger, about twice the size of an alpaca, with a weight range of 250 to 450 pounds, whereas alpacas weigh between 120 to 200 pounds. We currently have 15 young males all 4-5 years old in the main herd in the front field. We also have 1 female and 2 males from the old herd in the field who you might be able to see in the field to your left.

One of our more curious Alpacas

For Children: 

Q: What animal other than llamas are alpacas related to? 

CLUE: It lives in the desert and has humps on its back 

A: The camel 

Welcoming some of the members of our new herd to Chilworth

 Navigation: 

Continue with the fence on your left for approximately 70m where you will reach the next stop and learn about Jubilee Hedge which was planted to celebrate the late Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.