Alpaca (Vicugna pacos)

The Alpaca is a species of South American camelid descended from the Vicuna. It is similar to, and often confused with, the llama. However, alpacas are often noticeably smaller than llamas. Alpacas originate from the central and southern Andes from Peru to Argentina, in an area known as the Altiplano (Spanish for high plain).

Alpacas communicate through body language. The most common is spitting when they are in distress, fearful, or mean to show dominance.

Alpacas stand at approximately 1.5m tall and weigh between 45 and 80kg. They can live up to 15 to 20 years of age.

Did You Know?

  • Alpacas have short ears and face; Llamas ears and face are longer.
  • Llamas are taller and heavier.
  • Alpacas are herd members; Llamas are more independent.
  • Alpacas will only ‘spit’ as a last resort; Llamas will ‘spit’ whenever they feel threatened.

Short-Beaked Echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus)

The Short-beaked Echidna is found throughout the entirety of Australia, including Tasmania. They inhabit forests, woodlands, heath, grasslands, and arid environments.

Photo of a short beaked Echidna; a very rounded animal with spikes across the entire body in colours of black, brown and tan, with tiny eyes at front low to the ground either side of a long grey-black snout. The fore feet are large by comparison, but largely hidden and the rear feet for digging appear to be on backwards!

Using its pointed snout and sharp claws, the Short-beaked Echidna breaks into ant and termite nests and catches its prey by flicking its long sticky tongue in and out. An Echidna tongue can be up to 17cm long!

Like the Platypus, the Short-beaked Echidna is an egg-laying mammal or ‘monotreme’ and lays one egg at a time.

DID YOU KNOW?

  • A baby Echidna is called a “Puggle.”
  • Echidnas are the most widespread mammal in Australia.
  • Echidnas are good at swimming and are sometimes seen cooling off at the beach on hot days.
  • Echidna’s blow bubbles to clear dirt out of their noses!

Our animals need you now

Situated less than an hours drive north of Sydney

Once you enter the park gates, it’s easy to see why Lonely Planet named Walkabout Park as one of the top ten best family friendly animal adventures in the world.

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Anzac Day ~ Rememberance

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Living with Spiders

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Boomerang Throwing

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Special Treats

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Beautiful Grevillia

Encounters with Animals

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We love our Australian Wildlife

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Just a thought

This afternoon our dingoes Maloo, Maliki and Echo, were reunited in their camp. Maloo is the white alpine dingo. Echo is the one with the itchy ear. And Maliki is the larger red.
It was a little tense as, two days ago while they were away, 18 month old female Echo challenged 10 year old alpha female Maloo for the alpha position.

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