Those TAILS can tell TALES...

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

Alpacas and llamas are often very expressive in their communication of information to one another – and to humans – through body language. By definition, body language is “the transmission of meaning, feeling, or intent by significance of act or manner” using the body. This language is conveyed through a variety of body positions and behaviors.

Behavior is the very foundation of our communication with one another whether between those who would speak the same language or between those who do not. It is a constant and innate component of our existence whether conscious or unconscious. The way we (and all species) behave – position ourselves – provides information as to how we may be feeling, what we may be thinking and even at times, what we are about to do. Behaviors can reflect whether or not the communication is more internally or externally stimulated. Hundreds of studies and voluminous reports have come forth regarding human behavior and positioning in the attempt to define and qualify appropriate baselines against which we might then recognize, define and measure human behavior and positioning “outside” those considered norms. And what of our alpacas and llamas? What are the more appropriate baselines of behavior against which we might recognize something “outside” the norm?

Alpaca and Llama Body Language

The alpaca and llama body language vocabulary is large. With slight variations or displayed in concert with other behaviors, the expression of a particular behavior might come to mean something entirely different. As “body language” would infer, alpacas and llamas can express with specific parts of their body as well as through the positioning of the whole. An important part of the alpaca and llama body language vocabulary is expressed through the tail.

It is important in our overall interpretation of body language to establish an appropriate behavioral baseline of language expressed by the tail. By having a baseline, we might then recognize when additional information is coming through. The more normal tail positions most often seen on a day-to-day basis are:

• Loose, relaxed against the body

• Alert, arched

• Flipped over – curled back over the rear onto the back

• Wagging, swishing – excitement, combating flies or other irritant, show of displeasure

Tails in the normal, relaxed position flow softly downward from the rear. Some appear to hang nearly straight down while others may maintain a slight arch.  The tail is held loosely, occasionally swishing back and forth, with seemingly little or no muscle tension. A relaxed tail is generally indicative of an overall relaxed mental, emotional and physical state. The tail display in this group of alpacas is quite relaxed.

Tails flipped over the rear are normally an indication of submission, insecurity or uncertainty. Flipped tails may be also asking a question. In this instance, a younger or less dominant male flips his tail back over his rear to signal his non-challenging position to a more dominant male. Babies will approach their mothers for nursing with tails flipped. Interestingly, once they begin to nurse, the tail will slowly come back down. Sometimes an alpaca or llama will flip the tail when approaching another animal or human or when another animal or human approaches them. In this instance, flipping the tail may have slightly different meanings from insecurity to asking a question depending upon the circumstance.

Both of these babies present a healthy and alert body language stance with ears forward. The white baby is very balanced with his tail in an alert position. The dark baby is less balanced in himself and has placed his tail in a submissive, more uncertain or insecure position. Notice how the body language (including balance) of both these youngsters comes together in telling a tale of what each may be thinking and how each may be feeling.

Alpacas and llamas that are feeling well and balanced mentally, emotionally and physically, will normally present the above noted tail expressions on a day-to-day basis. By using these behavioral expressions or positionings as a base line, it is much easier to recognize when communications through the tail might be providing additional and more specific information. Additional information may be provided in a tail that is:

• Clamped -- tucked under, held tight to the body

• Stiff, immobile

• Continually held in a high arch

• Excessively wagging, swishing or twitching

This llama is clamping her tail holding it tightly against her body. It lacks a "fullness" or depth and appears flattened against the body curving straight down off the rear onto the buttocks. Clamping the tail is generally indicative of an overall tensing throughout the body. Without actually handling the tail, it can sometimes be difficult to distinguish a clamped tail from one that is more relaxed. A clamped tail will feel tightly pressed to the buttocks, stiff with little to no mobility. As part of a number of behavioral indicators, clamping the tail often appears in concert with visible signs of muscle tension in the face.

As the end portion of a long continuous centerline from the back of the head, down the neck following the backbone and off the center of the rear, tails are an important component of the alpaca and llama body. They are an intricate and connected piece of the whole and provide a valuable contribution to the body language vocabulary. If we are listening, those tails can tell quite a tale.