I ve never known anyone to get hurt by an alpaca, Dan says. About the only risk, he says, would be being kicked by one during shearing. Their toenails must be clipped regularly. They lack horns and claws, and have no teeth. The ruminants have three stomachs.
Alpacas communicate with hums and bleats, movements of tail and ears, and varying postures.
They respond when whistled or called to, although perhaps not as quickly or efficiently as the family dog. They hum when they talk, Dan says. And they know who we are. There s a recognition there. They are intelligent animals.