Some areas of the Zoo are CLOSED to allow us to prepare for our Halloween events. ... read more
Until 3rd November, there will be restricted access at Bears of the Rising Sun (lower viewing) and our Elephant Bushwalk will be closed.
From 14th October 2024, our Woodland Hollow will be closed.
Located towards the end of Familiar Friends, between the Colenso Village exit and the entrance to Wallaby Walkabout, our alpacas and llamas can be seen enjoying their outdoor area.
When a llama is afraid and cornered, it will lay its ears back against its head, make a clucking noise and spit its stomach contents at whatever is scaring it. Alpaca milk is lower in fat and salt than cow’s milk and is also higher in calcium and phosphorus.
Female llamas and alpacas will have one baby, sometimes two, after a pregnancy of 11 months. A baby llama or alpaca is called a ‘cria’.
There are
3 million
alpacas worldwide
South America is home to
94%
of all alpacas
Llamas can carry
25%
of their bodyweight
Llamas can reach
28mph
when running
Animals in Southern Wild
Alpaca
Vicugna pacos
From: Worldwide
Status: Not Listed
Quick Fact: Alpacas were domesticated from their close relatives, the vicunas, by indigenous people of Peru.
Find me in: Southern Wild
Mammals
Llama
Lama glama
From: Worldwide
Status: Not Listed
Quick Fact: Llamas are sometimes put in with flocks of sheep to help ward off any predators.
Find me in: Southern Wild
Mammals
Adopt an animal at Colchester Zoo
You will be helping to fund our work, as well as our charity, Colchester Zoological Society, which assists conservation projects all over the world!
