How long is an alpaca or llama pregnant?
UC Cooperative Extension puts alpaca gestation at about 335 days and llama gestation at about 350 days, roughly 11 to 11.5 months. The Merck Veterinary Manual gives llama gestation as about 342 days, with a range of 332 to 352, so a healthy female can deliver on either side of the average. This calculator uses +/-10 days for the normal window.
Due date = breeding date + 335 days (alpaca) or + 350 days (llama)
Alpaca and llama at a glance
| Alpaca | Llama | |
|---|---|---|
| Gestation (UC Cooperative Extension) | 335 days | 350 days |
| Female breeding age | 14 to 16 months | 15 to 18 months |
| Male breeding age | 2 to 3 years | 2.5 years |
| Cria birth weight | 15 to 19 lb | 20 to 35 lb |
Confirming pregnancy
Alpacas and llamas ovulate in response to mating, about 24 to 30 hours later. The Merck Veterinary Manual lists these ways to confirm a pregnancy:
- Behavior: a pregnant female firmly refuses a male when he is reintroduced more than 15 days after breeding.
- Progesterone blood test: a level above 1 ng/mL at 6 to 9 days after mating shows she ovulated, and above 1 ng/mL after 21 days supports pregnancy.
- Ultrasound: a transrectal scan can show a pregnancy from about day 28.
Birth and rebreeding
More than 70% of births happen in the morning, and labor is usually quick. The same source puts stage one at 1 to 6 hours, stage two under 30 minutes, and the placenta passed 4 to 6 hours later. You get few warning signs. She may urinate more often, hum more and drift away from the herd. First time mothers often take longer.
Most females can conceive again 14 to 21 days after giving birth, so the next breeding comes down to your choice and her condition. Ask your vet when to rebreed.
Sample due dates (alpaca, 335 days)
| Bred | Due date | Normal window |
|---|---|---|
| Thu, Jan 1, 2026 | Wed, Dec 2, 2026 | Sun, Nov 22, 2026 to Sat, Dec 12, 2026 |
| Sun, Mar 1, 2026 | Sat, Jan 30, 2027 | Wed, Jan 20, 2027 to Tue, Feb 9, 2027 |
| Fri, May 1, 2026 | Thu, Apr 1, 2027 | Mon, Mar 22, 2027 to Sun, Apr 11, 2027 |
| Wed, Jul 1, 2026 | Tue, Jun 1, 2027 | Sat, May 22, 2027 to Fri, Jun 11, 2027 |
| Tue, Sep 1, 2026 | Mon, Aug 2, 2027 | Fri, Jul 23, 2027 to Thu, Aug 12, 2027 |
| Sun, Nov 1, 2026 | Sat, Oct 2, 2027 | Wed, Sep 22, 2027 to Tue, Oct 12, 2027 |
For a different species, see the horse and cow calculators, or the animal gestation periods chart.
Frequently asked questions
How long is an alpaca pregnant?
About 335 days according to UC Cooperative Extension, roughly 11 months.
How long is a llama pregnant?
About 350 days according to UC Cooperative Extension. The Merck Veterinary Manual gives about 342 days with a range of 332 to 352.
When can I confirm an alpaca or llama pregnancy?
Ultrasound can confirm from about day 28, and a progesterone test after day 21 supports it. A female that firmly refuses the male after day 15 is usually pregnant.
What time of day do alpacas give birth?
Most births, more than 70%, happen in the morning.
How soon can she be bred again?
Most females can conceive 14 to 21 days after delivery. Ask your vet when to rebreed.
Sources
- UC Cooperative Extension: Llamas and alpacas (small acreage guide, PDF)
- Merck Veterinary Manual: Reproduction of llamas and alpacas
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