Ear Fear

By Cathy Spalding ©
www.gentlespiritllamas.com
www.gentlespiritalpacas.com

Spit happens! To spit would seem one of the higher levels of aggression exhibited in the normal behavioral range of alpacas and llamas. It is not something to be given - nor received - lightly. It is serious business. When the ears of an alpaca or llama are actually pinned, it is clear they have a strong opinion on something. You can almost count on spit to follow if the offender does not immediately comply.

Bad Mouthing

The alpaca or llama who would spit does not seem to enjoy the doing any more than those who would be receiving. Even alpacas or llamas not directly involved in the exchange will avoid anything with spit on it. Some will even hang their own lower lip. After a good spit, an alpaca or llama will open their mouth fairly wide to "air out." This stance is commonly called "bad mouthing." Their mouth will look a mess with particles of stomach contents dripping here and there as they hang their lower lip. The ears are usually at half-mast, the eyes appear somewhat depressed and the nostrils may flare. In this disgusting state, they are often left quite to themselves by the rest of the herd.

This llama is exhibiting typical "bad mouthing" behavior.

Pinned Ears

Pinned ears are not the same as ears that are back. Ears that are pinned will be held tightly back and downward nearly in line with a strongly held vertical neck. For the ears to be truly pinned there must be an upward tilting of the head. This facilitates the ability of the ears to lie as flat as possible against the neck as well as straightens the esophagus for a possible rise of stomach contents. Alpacas and llamas can certainly spit without tilting their head upward. Normally, the only contents of this spit would be anything that was present in the mouth at the time such as grass, grain, saliva or cud. Spit in the form of fresh stomach contents must be brought up from the stomach. By tilting the head upward, dramatic curves are eliminated along the path from the stomach to the mouth allowing a clear volley from the stomach up the esophagus and out through the mouth.

This alpaca is holding a large oak leaf in his mouth as a sort of breath mint after a good spit.

Looking For Relief!

It is not unusual to see an alpaca or llama that has just spit wander about his environment looking for something -- anything -- that might help relieve his mouth of this disdainful situation. He may chew on the bark of a tree or fence rails, old leaves, sticks or head directly for any available fir bow as a sort of “breath mint.” There are different levels of spit. Alpacas and llamas may spit out a large volume of air complete with saliva. Spit may be composed of what is currently in the mouth such as grass, hay, grain or cud. The most serious and vile spit is fresh contents pulled up from the depths of the stomach.

This female, Merry, is quite serious in her statement to another llama. So serious in fact that she would appear just moments from backing it up with a hearty spit of fresh stomach contents. She shows great emotion through clear and bright eyes making direct eye contact with the object of her displeasure. Her eyes seem to warn that she is not happy – quite angry in fact – about whatever is going on and her feelings best be taken seriously. Notice the combination of indicators which all come together for this expression of anger or upset. The head is tilted upward – nose in the air. Her ears are pinned -- laid back almost flat along her neck. Her neck has stiffened and is held nearly vertically straight. She appears squarely balanced over herself. Her eyes are bright and clear making direct contact with the offender in the delivery of her message. Her nostrils are flared and her lower lip is tensed and pulled under. Some of these behavioral cues could indicate something quite different were they not in concert with the others. Many humans feel concern that an alpaca or llama may spit when the ears fall back or are snapped back in combination with a seeming unhappy facial expression. Though a situation where the ears are snapped back could certainly progress to the point of pinning and spitting, it is interesting to note that alpacas and llamas can only spit saliva, cud or whatever happens to be in the mouth in that stance. Stomach contents can be brought up for cud chewing in this position but it does not have clear volley from the stomach out of the mouth without a much more extreme tilt of the head. Taking another look at this female, notice the position of her head as it connects with her neck. She has made a rather straight path for the clear flight of stomach contents.

This photo shows Frankie, the recipient of Merry’s aggression. His response to Merry’s angry stance is interesting. Frankie’s eye shows he is well aware of the aggression but he is not responding with direct eye contact. He has formed a stress wrinkle under his eye. He is clearly looking at her, has definitely understood the seriousness of the situation but he maintains a more softened, non-direct connection with Merry. He has readied himself for defense should the need arise but it is interesting to note his manner. He has laid his ears back, flared his nostrils, his mouth is open with some tension in his lips and he has tilted his head upward. All are expressed, however, with less intensity and directness than his aggressor. His neck appears more supple and less vertical. His body is a bit off balance and somewhat turned away. He is looking at her but not in a front on, direct way. And, his ears are not truly pinned. Will this situation escalate or will it diffuse? It would seem to depend on the choices Frankie will make. I wonder… could it be that Frankie’s behavior represents our cue over the years for that “don’t look them in the eye” belief?

The question is not what you look at but what you see.

Henry David Thoreau

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