At what age do alpacas start breeding?
A. Females become sexually mature at around 12 to 18 months of age and once they reach 90 – 100 pounds in weight. Males can display sexual interest from a few weeks of age but are not sexually active or fertile until 18 months to 3 years of age. (There will be individuals that fall outside this age range.) Alpacas do not have a breeding season and providing they are receptive, females can be mated at any time of the year. Like rabbits and cats, female alpacas are “induced ovulators” which means it is the act of mating that causes them to ovulate. Alpacas mate in the “cush” (prone) position and if a female is not receptive (already pregnant) she will refuse to sit down and probably spit at the male. This rejection response, known as a “spit-off,” is used in the management of the female to regularly monitor the progress of her pregnancy.
