Alternative Animals Animal Science I Unit 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 million head ranging the western part of the continent By the end of the 19 th Century—300 head – Why?

History of Bison During the 20 th Century a slow rebuilding of Bison populations began , ’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

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 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, lbs Capable of running MPH for up to 30 minutes Stride of 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 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 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 ft at the head, 4 ft at the shoulder Life span 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 lbs or about ½ the size of a Llama Height- 4.5 ft at the head, 3 ft at the shoulder Life span of 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