Cria

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As Crias is called the juveniles of llamas , alpacas , vicunas and guanacos . The word comes from Spanish and means "baby".

Alpaca Crias

An alpaca pregnancy lasts about eleven to twelve months and usually only one young is born. A twin birth is very rare, the chances of a twin birth are around 1 in 1000. But twin births are not only rare, they are also very dangerous. Both the mother and the Crias can perish. Crias can be weaned by human intervention in about six months and weighing 60 pounds . However, many breeders prefer to leave it up to the female to decide how long to breastfeed their foal. Crias can be stopped sooner or later, depending on their size and emotional maturity.

Llama Crias

When the llama foals are born, the entire herd stands around the lama giving birth (only the female llamas, as the males are seen as a threat), apparently to protect it from predators. Llamas give birth while standing. The birth usually takes place quite quickly and without problems, and it takes up to 30 minutes. It usually takes place between 8 a.m. and noon and not in the Andes nights, which are dangerous for the young. It is believed that this is a continuation of childbirth behavior that has also been observed in the wild. Llama foals stand, run and try to suckle within the first hour after giving birth. The llama milk contains less fat and salt, but more phosphorus and calcium than cow or goat milk . A female llama only gives about 60 ml of milk when suckling . Because of this, the foals need to suckle frequently to get the nutrients they need.

Guanaco foal

The young guanacos are also called chulengos. The reproductive behavior of guanacos is almost the same as that of llamas.

Vicuna Crias

Mating usually takes place from March to April, after a gestation period of around eleven months, the female vicuna gives birth to a single foal, which is suckled for around ten months. The foal becomes independent after about twelve to 18 months.

Religious use of crias

The descendants of the Inca often use dried crias as an offering to the earth. They are burned in ceremonies and the ashes are sacrificed. The Indios also often wall dried crias into the wall when building their houses, this ritual is said to bring good luck. They are sold for such purposes in markets in Cuzco and La Paz .