Those TAILS can tell TALES...

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Alpaca and Llama Body Language

The alpaca and llama body language vocabulary is large. With slight variations or displayed in concert with other behaviors, the expression of a particular behavior might come to mean something entirely different. As “body language” would infer, alpacas and llamas can express with specific parts of their body as well as through the positioning of the whole. An important part of the alpaca and llama body language vocabulary is expressed through the tail.

It is important in our overall interpretation of body language to establish an appropriate behavioral baseline of language expressed by the tail. By having a baseline, we might then recognize when additional information is coming through. The more normal tail positions most often seen on a day-to-day basis are:

• Loose, relaxed against the body
• Alert, arched
• Flipped over – curled back over the rear onto the back
• Wagging, swishing – excitement, combating flies or other irritant, show of displeasure

Tails in the normal, relaxed position flow softly downward from the rear. Some appear to hang nearly straight down while others may maintain a slight arch.  The tail is held loosely, occasionally swishing back and forth, with seemingly little or no muscle tension. A relaxed tail is generally indicative of an overall relaxed mental, emotional and physical state. The tail display in this group of alpacas is quite relaxed.

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