By Cathy Spalding, Lamalink, August 2008
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| Fig. 1 |
Spitting would seem to be among
the higher levels of aggression exhibited within the normal alpaca and llama
behavioral range. Humans often misunderstand or altogether miss the behaviors
leading up to a true stomach contents spit. An alpaca or llama can easily
manipulate our human fear of receiving spit by simply snapping ears back and
very slightly raising the nose. "Oh no...they are going to spit!" As
if by magnetic repulsion, we move hack hoping for the moment to pass.
Spit is not
something to be given – nor received – lightly. It is serious business. The
alpaca or llama who would spit does not seem to enjoy the doing of it any more
than those who would be on the receiving end. Animals not directly involved in
the exchange will tend to avoid anything with spit on it, and some might even
hang their own lower lip. It is as nasty to the alpacas and llamas as it
appears to be for humans.
After a good
stomach contents spit, alpacas or llamas will open their mouths to "air
out." This stance is commonly called "bad mouthing." They appear
miserable with bits of greenish stomach contents dripping from their mouth. The
lower lip hangs loosely at half-mast. Nostrils can flare and there may be mouth
and/or irregular breathing. While the lower lip hangs limply downward, the eyes
may appear somewhat dull and distant, showing some disconnect with their
surroundings. There are often signs of tension and tightening in the facial
muscles with a skin wrinkle appearing directly below the eye. In this offensive
and rather disgusting state, they are normally left quite to themselves by the
rest of the herd.
It is not
unusual to see an alpaca or llama that has just hurled a good stomach contents
spit wander about his environment looking for anything that might help rid his
mouth of this disdainful mess. In search of a "breath mint," he may
chew on the bark of a tree or wooden fence rail, leaves, sticks, or head
directly for any available fir bow. Some have even been seen picking up and mouthing
rocks. In this state, it is not typical that they will seek out their usual hay
or grain or even drink water.
There are
different levels of spit. Alpacas and llamas may spit out a large volume of air
complete with saliva. Spit may be composed of whatever was in the mouth at the
time of the incident such as grass, hay, grain or cud. These spits can be
somewhat spontaneous in the midst of an argument or in the form of making a
statement. These spits will also happen with little to no warning.
The highest
level of spit aggression--serious and vile--is the stomach contents spit. The
contents of this spit are actually called up from the stomach. Alpacas and
llamas normally go through a series of behavioral warnings prior to actually
spitting stomach contents. Truth be, they would hope to avoid giving this type
of spit as much as any recipient would hope to avoid receiving it. The ears
snap back, the nose rises and if the "offender" does not respond
appropriately, the nose goes higher and the ears move to the pinned position.
If the "offender" still does not respond appropriately, you will see
a significant lump travel upward along the neck. Sometimes that goopy lump is
halted and held in the mouth for just one more warning. Often, however, it is
not halted and the lump is forcefully spewed forth in the direction of the
"offender."
Alpacas and
llamas are unable to retrieve and spit fresh stomach contents in one continuous
action unless the nose is raised high, which in turn, allows the ears to be
pinned back (cued) nearly in line with the neck. This physical posturing
effectively diminishes any dramatic curves--particularly at the throat--thus
facilitating a fairly straight path from the stomach, up the esophagus and out
the mouth. Thinking of this physical positioning in human terms, if we were
about to regurgitate and did not stretch out our neck, what would happen?
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| Fig. 2 |
The photo above (Fig. 1) captures just how miserable an alpaca can feel immediately following a stomach
contents spit. Llamas feel just as miserable. The lower lip is drooping, the
ears can hang at half-mast and the nostrils are somewhat flared. Notice the look
in the eye and the sagging eyelids. There is an appearance of disconnect to the
surroundings as this alpaca seems to focus on how she is feeling at the moment.
In these two
photos (Fig. 2), a male alpaca has chosen a leaf as a sort of "breath mint"
after a stomach contents spit. In the first photo, he has just secured the leaf.
He still looks miserable. His lower lip is drooping, his nostrils are flared,
his ears hang at half-mast and his eyes are dulled with eyelids sagging. He
appears a bit withdrawn and disconnected from his surroundings.
In the second
photo of this same alpaca a short time later, notice that he is beginning to
perk up. Still in recovery, he continues to hold the leaf in his mouth. However,
he is feeling much better. His lower lip is beginning to return to a more
proper positioning and his ears have come forward. His nostrils do not appear
flared. His eyes and overall body stance now appear more interested and connected
with his surroundings.
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| Fig. 3 |
We can learn a
great deal by closely observing a potentially serious stomach contents spit
situation with our animals.
The white alpaca (Fig. 3) is quite serious in her statements to the fawn alpaca. So serious, in fact,
that she would appear just moments from backing it up with a hearty spit of
stomach contents. Notice her body language and the combination of cues coming
together for this expression of anger or upset. The neck is out-stretched, the
nose is up, and the ears are nearly pinned. While not looking straight on at
her opponent, she is looking more directly than the recipient. She is not quite
yet lined up physically in a balanced body position for a good stomach contents
spit. She is, however, surely warning that it is a definite possibility.
Notice the
recipient of her aggression. She is well aware of the situation, but for the
moment, has decided to lower her head and look away. Her eyes are drooped and
she shows signs of muscle tension in her face. Her body is out of balance. Her
combined behavioral stances come together to give her a softer and more
subordinate look.
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| Fig. 4 |
Moments later,
the situation has escalated (Fig. 4). The white alpaca has shifted herself to a near
front on position and balanced herself squarely on all fours. She has brought
her neck up, pinning her ears and straightening her esophagus. She has not yet
spit, but is at the ready, needing only to perhaps lift her nose slightly
higher. It would appear the recipient would still hope to avoid an all out confrontation.
While moving closer into a defensive spit position by raising her nose, she
remains off balance. In fact, she has not even moved her feet. While she has
raised her nose, her neck remains lowered in a more submissive position and she
does not make eye contact with her aggressor. Even so, she has escalated and
lost some of her softer, more subordinate look. While certainly aware of the
situation, the other alpacas are not getting involved.
It is interesting
to consider the so often-heard advice: "Don't look them in the eye."
Alpacas and llamas look at one another constantly. We look at them… they look
back... nothing happens. In understanding alpaca and llama behavior, perhaps we
can take our cue for the instance when it is likely not appropriate for us to
look them in the eye. The recipient in this potential spit match is surely
providing the cues for us. When an alpaca or llama is moving into a stomach
contents spit posturing, it seems wise to soften our body, perhaps turn sideways
to them and, in this particular instance, it seems clear... "Don't look
them in the eye!”
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