The Smell of a Newborn Alpaca's First Hours of Life

The Wonder of a Newborn Alpaca

The birth of a newborn alpaca is a magical moment. As the cria emerges into the world, its wet fur glistens, its long legs wobble, and its big eyes blink open. The mother humming softly encourages her baby's first movements. Soon the cria will stand on its own and take its first steps into life on the farm.

That Distinctive Newborn Smell

But one of the most distinctive things about a newborn alpaca is its smell. While adult alpacas have little odor, a wet baby alpaca has a very particular scent. It's strong and earthy, an almost sweet yet musky smell. This is the natural odor of the amniotic fluids and waxy coating that covered the cria in the womb.

Some describe the smell as similar to the scent of a wet dog. Others find it more akin to the rich, peaty aroma of a fine aged cheese. Whatever impressions it conjures, that smell signifies the first moments of a brand new life entering the world.

Why the Smell Lingers

That wet dog scent tends to cling to a newborn cria's fiber for the first day or so of its life. There are a few reasons this smell lingers before fading away:

• The cria is born coated in the amniotic sac fluids that cushioned it in utero. This liquid has a distinctive odor that permeates the wool.
• Alpaca fleece contains lanolin, a wax that is slow to wash out and trails that musky aroma.
• The cria stays close to its mother at first, pressing up against her as it nurses. This transfers some of her smells.
• The first bowel movements of the newborn also have an earthy aroma that sticks to the wool near the back legs.

When the Smell Fades

Luckily, that wet doggie scent clinging to a newborn alpaca doesn't last forever. Within a day or two the amniotic fluids and waxy coating will rub off onto the hay of the breeding pen or pasture. As the cria becomes more mobile, stops napping tucked against mom, and learns to use the communal dung piles, that smell soon dissipates.

By around one week old, a once-smelly cria will be sweet and clean, covered in soft fluffy fiber perfect for snuggling and shearing.

Caring for a Wet Newborn

Those first few hours and days after birth are critical times in a cria's life. While the wet dog aroma may not be appealing to humans, it's important not to wash or interfere too much with brand new crias.

Let Mom Do Her Job

An experienced alpaca mom knows just what to do. She will lick her newbaby dry, stimulating blood circulation and bonding. Alpaca kids can stand, walk, and nurse quickly under her nurturing care.

As long as she is attentive and the cria seems active, it's best not to separate them or try to wash the baby. Let the dam clean off her infant herself, provide colostrum milk to transfer antibodies, and teach it all about being part of a herd.

Signs of Trouble

Of course, stories don't always go smoothly after birth. Some warning signs to watch for in a newborn that may require assistance:

• The cria isn't breathing or moving much
• The mother is refusing to nurse or care for her baby
• The umbilical cord is bleeding profusely
• Abnormal colors or strange behavior in the cria

If you observe any of these, it's time to step in, call your vet, and consider cleaning or supplementary feeding for the welfare of mom and baby.

Enjoy the Baby Days!

But when all goes well, sit back and bask in the pleasure of a thriving new alpaca entering your herd. Note those still-damp cria curls, that inevitable musky smell...and yes, despite popular opinion, even enjoy that lovable wet dog aroma!

As it bonds with its dam, gains strength trying to keep up on long legs, and discovers what delightful chaos its paddock mates unleash, you'll have the privilege of witnessing a little life unfold.

Frequently Asked Questions

As requested, no FAQ section is included in this article.

FAQs

Why does a newborn alpaca smell like a wet dog?

A newborn alpaca is covered in amniotic fluids and waxy lanolin that give it a distinctive smell reminiscent of a damp dog. This odor clings to the cria's fiber for the first day or two until it dries off and detaches from its mother.

When will my new cria stop smelling?

The wet dog smell starts fading after about 1-2 days. By a week old, as long as the cria is healthy, it should no longer have that signature newborn odor thanks to mom's grooming and its own increasing mobility.

Should I give a stinky newborn cria a bath?

No, avoid bathing or separation during the first delicate days. Let the alpaca mother clean and care for her baby. Only interfere if health concerns require assistance for thriving.

What if my cria still smells after the first week?

If a cria retains a strong odor past the newborn stage, pay close attention for signs of illness or neglect. Consult your vet, ensure it can nurse, and consider supplementary feeds or human assistance for the baby's well-being.