Llamas With a Mission: Watching Out for Alpaca Herd
Spring (left) is just 1 year old while Poppy (right) is 15.
Spring (left) is just 1 year old while Poppy (right) is 15.
Poppy (left) and Spring (right), Llamas, are the newest members of the Island Alpaca herd.
Poppy (left) and Spring (right), Llamas, are the newest members of the Island Alpaca herd.
Poppy is sporting a traditional "barrel cut" on her coat.
Poppy is sporting a traditional "barrel cut" on her coat.
Farm manager Lexi Hughes doles out a little snack to Spring before it is time to go on a walk.
Farm manager Lexi Hughes doles out a little snack to Spring before it is time to go on a walk.
Farm manager Lexi putting a harness on Poppy in the barn.
Farm manager Lexi putting a harness on Poppy in the barn.
Pam Harwood with Poppy (left) and Lexi Hughes with Spring (right) taking the new Llamas on a stroll.
Pam Harwood with Poppy (left) and Lexi Hughes with Spring (right) taking the new Llamas on a stroll.
The Llamas will be a useful visual aid for demonstrating the differences between them and the Alpacas.
The Llamas will be a useful visual aid for demonstrating the differences between them and the Alpacas.
Poppy stays on the alert for dangers to the herd while outside.
Poppy stays on the alert for dangers to the herd while outside.
The new llamas are active and curious as they explore their new surroundings.
The new llamas are active and curious as they explore their new surroundings.
A fully-grown llama is a good deal taller than their alpaca cousins.
A fully-grown llama is a good deal taller than their alpaca cousins.
When the new llamas strut around the pasture, the whole herd takes notice.
When the new llamas strut around the pasture, the whole herd takes notice.
Two new residents arrived at Island Alpaca in Oak Bluffs earlier this month. The additions resemble the 31 alpacas on the farm but are taller, with longer snouts and pointier ears, defining them as llamas and the new protectors of the herd.