Alternative Animals

Animal Science IUnit 48

Objectives• Describe the origin, history and general

characteristics of bison• Describe the characteristics of the bison

industry• Discuss the characteristics and origin of

ratites• Disucss the history of and getting started

with llamas and alpacas• Describe the characteristics of llamas and

alpacs

Bison

American Bison• Bison bison• A member of the Bovidae family– Includes cattle, sheep, goats

• Believed to cross the Bearing Strait land bridge from Asia to N. A. approx. 20,000-30,000 years ago

• Related to the European bison, Bison bonasus– A species that is almost extinct

History of Bison• Important to the Plains Indians because

they provided food, skins, bone and fuel• At the time of European arrival in North

America it is estimated there were 30-60 million head ranging the western part of the continent

• By the end of the 19th Century—300 head–Why?

History of Bison• During the 20th Century a slow rebuilding of

Bison populations began.• 1929-3,385• 1980’s-80,000• Currently-125,000• 15% of the bison in North America are currently

maintained on Public Lands• Some of those best know for saving Bison herds

from extinction are – James “Scotty” Philip

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Bison

Description & Characteristics

• Hump over the front shoulders• Horns that curve outward and up from the head

– The bulls are larger than the cows• Large head and the body narrows down toward the hindquarters• Long, dark hair covers the head and forequarters• Hindquarters are covered with shorter, lighter hair• Bulls have a black beard that is about 12” long• Mature bulls weigh 1,500-2,000, stand 6.5 ft at the hump and 9-

12 ft in length• Mature cows weigh 1,000• Bison have 1 more pair of ribs than cattle• 13-cattle, 14-bison• Territorial• Able to flourish in a wide range of environments

Characteristics of the Bison Industry

• Small compared to other enterprises• Several options for ownership– Absentee ownership– Hobby– Small producer–Medium-size ranches– Large ranches

Ratites

Introduction• Interest in the U.S.• Commercial production of ostriches began

in 1800’s in South America• After WWII a market for meat and leather

developed• South Africa retains a virtual monopoly on

the commercial production of ostriches• In the U.S. the ratite industry involves

ostriches, emus and rheas

Ratites• Group of flightless birds that includes– Ostrich– Emu– Rhea– Cassowary– Kiwi

Ostrich• Largest ratite, largest bird• 7-9 ft in height, 200-350 lbs• Capable of running 30-50 MPH for up to 30

minutes• Stride of 15-20 feet, depending on size• 2 toes• Long neck• Small head• Large eyes• Short, flat bill

Ostrich• Male– Black feathers with white on the wings

and tail– Feathers become brighter during the

mating season• Female–More drab– Light gray to grayish brown feathers

Domestic Ostrich• Result of cross-breeding several

subspecies • All belong to the species Struthio

camelus• Initial purpose of the crossbreeding

was to improve feather quality• Emphasis of breeding today is meat

production

Emu• Second largest bird• 5-6 ft tall• 125-150 pound

– Males are slightly smaller than females• Female is dominant• Capable of running 30 MPH• Three toes• Head and neck are grayish blue, black feathers on

the head and molted brown feathers on the body.• Plumage is course and hairlike

Rhea• Similar to ostrich but is smaller and has

3 toes• Mature Rhea– 5 ½ feet tall– Weighs 44-55 pounds

• Fast runner• Feathers are pale gray to brown • Head & neck are completely feathered• No tail feathers

Cassowary• 4-6 ft tall• No plumage on the head or neck• Brightly colored skin in combinations of blue, red

and yellow• Large bony crest on the top of the head• Hairlike feathers are brownish black• Capable of running up to 30 MPH• Long sharp toenails on the inner toe that are used

for defense• Found in forrested area rather than the open plain

Kiwi • Small about the size of a chicken• 3 species

– Brown Kiwi, Spotted Kiwi, Little Spotted Kiwi• Larger species are about 20” long, smaller 16”• Weigh 2 ¾-9 pounds• Stand up to 1 foot tall• Females are larger than males• Brown or gray hair-like feathers that may be streaked or

barred• Small heads• Long slender bills with the nostrils near the tip• No tail feathers• Short legs with 3 toes on the feet

Ratite Products• Meat• Leather• Oil• Feathers• Other by-products

Llamas & Alpacas

Introduction & History• Imported to the US in the late 1800s to be exhibited

in zoos• Interest in raising llamas and alpacas increased in

the 1970s with the emphasis being on raising and selling breeding stock

• In addition to breeding stock llamas are used as/for– Pack animals, fiber production, guard animals for sheep

herds, show animals, pets• Alpacas are used for

– Breeding stock, fiber production, investments and as pets.

– They are generally not used as pack or guard animals

Investment Cost• Varies across U.S.• Breeding stock– Females $350-$6,000+ –Males $500-$3,000+– Stud Fees $700-$1500

• Trained Pack Animals $2,500-$3,000

Registry• International Lama Registry (ILR)• Closed – This means both parents must be

registered in order for offspring to be registered.

Characteristics: Llama• Wool color – Usually white but may be black– Shades of beige are also seen– A variety of patterns from spotted to solid

are also seen• Mature weight- 280 to 450 pounds• Long necks• 5.5-6 ft at the head, 4 ft at the shoulder• Life span 20-25 years

Characteristics-Alpaca• 22 distinct natural colors• 2 types based on the fleece they produce• Huacaya fiber

– Fiber is dense and crimped• Suri fiber

– Usually white, not crimped, hangs straight down and is curly

• An adult Alpaca produces about 4 lbs of fleece per year

• Weight- 100-175 lbs or about ½ the size of a Llama• Height- 4.5 ft at the head, 3 ft at the shoulder• Life span of 20-25 years

Characteristics• Six incisor teeth on the front bottom jaw• Hard dental pad on top• 5 molars on top and bottom• Split upper lip that allows them to grasp

forage when grazing• Feet are two toed with a broad, leathery pad

on the bottom that gives them excellent footing on many types of terrain

• Scent glands on the side of each rear leg and one in between the toes