When asked why all of the alpacas were male, Becky
attempted to delicately explain. It seems as though Jason was
injured because of an attempted assault by another alpaca,
and they had to be separated.
““Boys don’t … stop,” Becky said, trying to fi nd the right
words. “Females only have babies once a year, but the males
are continuously trying to make more; they don’t seem to
care. They can injure the female when she’s pregnant.”
In the back paddock was a brown alpaca named Arthur, the
offending and over-amorous alpaca who apparently doesn’t
care if the focus of his over-eager intentions is male or female.
His father was part of the last group of alpacas brought from
Peru to the U.S., and he does have a more lordly air about
him. He refuses to come too close to visitors, but instead
stands back with a proud stature and a leary eye, very aloof.
In contrast, his roommate, Remington (short for
Remington Steele), is a large, gray fellow who is consumed
with the thought of food. The reason Remington and Arthur
can be bunkmates is because Remington is a larger alpaca,
and can handle his own. Jason, on the other hand, is smaller,
and was injured by Arthur’s ardor.
Upon entering the backyard Jason and Clifford gave barely
a nod to the newcomers, preferring to stay where they were,
munching on the lawn. Remington will allow a pet or two if
you’re feeding him, but Arthur is a “hands-off” alpaca. In
general, they are not animals who crave human attention.
Other than their speed and a mediocre ability to kick, they
are all but defenseless in the wild. They only have bottom
teeth, so they can’t bite. They can spit, though.
Upon leaving the pen, as if to quell Remington’s arrogance,
Jerry said, “You should see them when they’re sheared. They
look so funny.”
Arthur did not appear to be amused by his comment.
The time spent at the retreat fl ew by, as Becky and Jerry
are very personable and good conversationalists. In fact, if
you’ve never given a thought to such a notion as a crafting
retreat, but are willing to give it a try, you are guaranteed to
come away from the experience with a newfound love of
alpacas ... and a brand-new way to socialize.
60 GASPARILLA MAGAZINE May/June 2020
A group of crafters feeding Remington (above)
and Arthur (below). Bottom photo, Clifford and
Jason.
The Alpaca Fun Retreat is located at
16015 Aralia Drive in Punta Gorda, FL.
You can reach them at (361) 739-8875
or visit their website at
www.alpacafunretreat.com
for more information.
/www.alpacafunretreat.com
