Whether you admire the majesty of horses or you love the antics of ducks and geese, our domesticated animals are marvellous and they’re waiting to meet you. They might not be as exotic as lions or leopards, but the cuteness of a pygmy goat is hard to beat!
Alpaca
Vicugna pacos
DietVegetarian. They eat mostly grass, but their diets can also include leaves wood, bark or stems. Like other ruminants, alpacas have a three-chambered stomach that digests the roughage efficiently. Unlike other grazers, alpacas don't eat much.
GroupHerd
Population3,000,000
Did you know?Alpacas originate from South America and are bred from the wild Vicuna which is now a rare and protected species. The llama is bred from the wild Guanaco, which is still relatively common through out South America. They are both in the camelid family, which also Includes the Asian camel. Alpacas are readily distinguished from llamas by their smaller size; they stand approximately 90 cm (35 inches) high at the shoulder and weigh 55 to 65 kg (121 to 143 pounds). The alpaca also differs from the llama in having a rounded, rather than squarish, body and in its habit of pressing its tail close to the body, rather than holding it erect as does the llama. The alpaca’s shaggy coat varies in colour from the usual black or brown through lighter shades of gray and tan to pale yellow and, occasionally, white.
Guinea Pig
Cavia porcellus
DietHerbivores. They only eat plants and plant-based food. · In the wild, guinea pigs eat fresh grasses and wild plants.
GroupHerd
Population30,000,000
Did you know? A guinea pig is also called a ‘cavy’. Their official title is ‘Cavia porcellus’. They belong to the family ‘Caviidae’, which is made up of rodents found originally in South America. Capybaras are also part of this family! A male guinea pig is called a ‘boar’ and a female is called a ‘sow’. Baby guinea pigs are called ‘pups’. Guinea pigs have 4 toes on their front feet and 3 toes on their back feet. Guinea pigs make lots of noises. The most well-know is the ‘wheek’! This is a sound they only make for their humans, usually to remind them to bring some food!
Highland Cow
Bos taurus
DietHerbivore. It is possible to have entirely grass fed Highlands, they will survive on roughage and poor grazing including brush if necessary. Breeders however will often supplement with good hay, straw, green feed or silage in the winter.
GroupFold
Did you know?They are the oldest cattle breed in the world & originate from the Scottish Highlands. These cattle are a hardy breed, designed to withstand the conditions in the Scottish Highlands. Their long hair is actually an unusual double coat of hair- on the outside is the oily outer hair, the longest of any cattle breed, and it is covering a downy undercoat underneath. The bulls can way up to a whopping 800kg, and the cows up to 500kg, and their milk generally has a very high butterfat content.
Llama
Lama glama
DietHerbivores. They eat grass and browse for mountain vegetation, native grasses, and low shrubs. They can obtain water from this food, but they also require fresh water.
GroupHerd
PopulationOver 7,000,000
Did you know?Fossil footprints in California show that llamas, which are relatives of camels, came originally from South America. It is thought that the animals that went north and crossed over the Bering land bridge later evolved into camels, while those that migrated south evolved into the "llama" family. Llamas do spit, usually to settle an argument about food or to decide which llama is dominant. A female will spit at a male to make him go away. They do not usually spit at humans unless provoked.
Miniature Donkey
Equus asinus
DietVegetarian. In their natural habitat donkeys will browse, eating highly fibrous plant material in small quantities throughout the day. Carrots, apples, bananas, pears, turnips and swedes are all safe and usually very popular with donkeys.
GroupHerd
Population20,000
Did you know?Mini-donkeys are very trainable, so they're used for a variety of tasks in a variety of environments. People will keep them on farms to play with their kids or serve as companions for horses, ponies or other donkeys. They can be used as protectors too of sheep and goats smaller livestock.
Poitou Donkey
Equus asinus
DietVegetarian. In their natural habitat donkeys will browse, eating highly fibrous plant material in small quantities throughout the day. Carrots, apples, bananas, pears, turnips and swedes are all safe and usually very popular with donkeys.
GroupDrove
PopulationUnder 500
Did you know?The Baudet du Poitou, also called the Poitevin or Poitou donkey, is a French breed of donkey. It is one of the largest breeds, and jacks were bred to mares of the Poitevin horse breed to produce Poitevin mules, which were formerly in worldwide demand for agricultural and other work.
Pygmy Goat
Capra aegagrus hircus
DietHerbivore. Vegetables and fruit can be added to their diet only in moderation. Twigs, leaves, bark and some ‘weeds’ are the natural food of the goat and will be welcomed as a great treat.
GroupHerd
PopulationIn excess of 1,150
Did you know?Pygmy goats are a popular breed of domestic goat, originally from Africa. A full-grown pygmy goat loves to climb rocks and logs.
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