Who Has Worry Wrinkles Besides Me??

By Cathy Spalding
www.gentlespiritllamas.com

Page 1

The term stress or "worry wrinkle" is used to describe the wrinkle of skin that occurs beneath the eye when an alpaca or llama tenses their facial muscles. Normally it is formed around ½ to one inch below the lower eyelid. Occasionally, an alpaca or llama will show wrinkles well below the eye. Tensing of the facial muscles can range from slightly noticeable to the extreme of actually pulling down the lower rim of the eyelid exposing the red area of membrane beneath the eye. Caused by the tensing and tightening of the facial muscles, this skin wrinkle by definition indicates “a state of mental, emotional or nervous strain.” As a behavioral indicator, it important to note the context in which it occurs. The mere presence of a human can cause some alpacas and llamas to exhibit stress wrinkles.

This llama displays a distinct wrinkle just beneath her lower eyelid. The tension held in her face can also be seen around her mouth and lower lip. She has tightened the facial muscles creating a wrinkle below the eye and an almost “sucked in” appearance of the skin along her lower jaw area, which pulls back her lower lip. In this instance, her nostrils are also flared indicating more rapid breathing.

Page ....1   2    3    4....Next page

Return to top of page