Alpacas prefer to be out under the sky to being in a barn so a three sided shelter and fencing to protect them from predators is all that is needed.  Alpacas eat very little food a day (grass, hay and a little grain).  They are virtually disease resistant, but do get annual vaccinations and need routine parasite control.  They also easily adapt to any climate.

     Alpacas communicate in several ways.  They communicate to each other by humming, making a clucking sound (between mother and cria usually), neck posturing, ear and tail positioning, and head tilting.