Okay, I had originally titled this “Why you can’t hug our alpaca” but as I typed all the reasons why, the irony was not lost on me! The theme—as you’ll see—is that they need space. Not just because we’re in the middle of a pandemic, but because that’s just how they operate. You could say that they were social distancing pioneers long before the pandemic required it.

Let me explain.

The first thing visitors do when they meet the herd—is they reach out their hands excitedly. Without a second glance, the whole herd skitters away, and I’m left to break the bad news—

I’m sorry, but you can’t really touch them.

“Oh, is that because they don’t know me yet?”

Well…yes…but also no. They don’t let me pet them either.

I don’t blame folks for the dismay. After all, they’re beautiful and oh-so-soft. Naturally, visitors think that means they’d make cuddly little friends, and that I must spend my days petting and hugging them.

But that can’t be further from the truth.

Even if I had the time to do that, the herd would most assuredly not allow it. Not even for one second!

But aside from them not wanting me to touch them, I’ve learned how unhealthy it is to their overall well-being.

I’m not going to lie, it’s tough not to want to smother a fresh newborn cria (kree-ah) with love because their fiber is so pristine and they’re just so darn adorable!

But the single most important element of our animal husbandry practice is handling them properly and appropriately. And this means only when necessary…

handling alpacas — such as for shearing and doctoring.

But what about when they’re first born, don’t you sneak in a squeeze or two?

No, unfortunately, social distancing starts the minute they arrive!

baby alpaca kiss — ***But…how can you resist?!***

Well it definitely isn’t easy. Perhaps even the hardest part of raising these sweet little things!

But as you’ve probably heard your own mama say…

Touch with your eyes only!!

You see, when cria are born, the first several hours are exceptionally important for establishing the instinctual bonding between mom and baby. Extensive handling while young inadvertently teaches the cria to depend on someone other than mom for its needs. This can lead the mom to reject the cria, making them a bottle baby and in worst cases could cause failure to thrive.

newborn baby alpaca — It’s pretty hard, I’ll admit, to keep my paws off their adorable, sleepy faces.

baby alpaca at sunset — And it’s a downright challenge to keep my distance as they stumble and bumble, falling a time or two as they learn to use those long legs for the first time.

But I keep a social distance because I know it’s the healthiest thing for them to learn without my interference.

When they’re weaned, at about 8 months of age, we begin halter training. This is probably the most ‘hands on’ part of our practice. And even then, we mostly keep our hands to ourself and maintain a social distance.

alpaca on a halter — Halter training teaches them how to walk on a lead so that they can be safely transported, shorn and cared for, and…that’s about it.

So basically, this means our herd is acclimated to having very little hands-on interaction from the minute they are born on our farm. And truthfully, this is what they’re accustomed in their native environment.

The minute you inch closer, they’ll give you the look…as if to say…

funny alpaca hairdo — “You’re makin’ me nervous, please stand back!”

As prey animals, having an ingrained fear of other larger animals is also essential for their survival. Even though our farm is fully fenced, we share the area with plenty of hungry coyotes. And every now & again there’s even been the occasional cougar sighting.

The alpacas maintain their safety by relying on their natural wariness of others…and of course…by keeping a social distance!

But surely we make an exception with farm visitors, right? Surely visitors can sneak in a pet once or twice?

Well actually, we have no say in the matter! The herd takes social distancing so seriously, we don’t even have to enforce it, they do it all on their own!

And it is for this reason, when the occasional animal whisperer asks...

Are you sure I can’t pet? This one seems friendly…

I always acquiesce, “you can try!” And then they reach their hand out and…

alpaca herd running — **WOOSH!**

…the whole herd scatters to the four winds!

I get the inclination to cuddle and pet them, believe me, I really do! But they’ve taught me that social distancing is critical to their overall well being that I'm unwilling to jeopardize it.

And as soon as I learned that, they showed me the most heartwarming and authentic way of interacting with them. And let me tell you, it is so profound to be able to connect with them in a personal way without being physical.

It is an approach that blends patience and presence, and it is an experience like none other.

cute alpaca ears — Although they’re easily frightened, they’re also insanely curious.

I’ve learned to enter their space slowly with a calm vibe and an equally curious heart.

At first it’s a bit of a staring contest — and a funny one at that!

Ears upright, almost acting as a second set of eyes, while their long necks lengthen.

They watch your every move, taking in & mirroring back whatever energy you bring.

If you’re fearful, they will be skittish. If you’re anxious, they’ll sense it. If you’re excited, they will know it.

Being mindful of my presence in their space, I like to crouch down or sit on the ground. Making myself smaller puts them at ease, and in doing so makes me appear less threatening.

And when you switch off your phone and tuck it into your pocket, you’ll be gifted with a memory and experience that no photo can capture.

adorable alpaca close-up — After all, how welcoming does it feel to meet someone for the first time when they thrust a camera in your face?

When you’re fully present and not fiddling with a phone, it doesn’t take long for one will wander over. It’s almost as if they can detect when it’s safe to briefly pause their social distancing guidelines…

And before you know it, they’ll each come face-to-face just to sniff you out.