Alpaca Facts (Vicugna pacos)

The alpaca (Vicugna pacos) is the smallest species of camel. Alpacas are closely related to llamas, but they are smaller and have shorter muzzles. While llamas are raised for meat and fur and are used as pack animals, alpacas are kept for their silky, hypoallergenic fleece. Fast Facts: Alpaca Scientific Name: Vicugna pacosCommon Name: AlpacaBasic Animal Group: MammalSize: 32-39 inchesWeight: 106-185 poundsLifespan: 15-20 yearsDiet: HerbivoreHabitat: Worldwide, except AntarcticaPopulation: 3.7 millionConservation Status: Not Evaluated (domesticated) Description There are two alpaca breeds. They are the same in terms of height and weight, but the Huacaya appears bulky because of its dense, curly, sponge-like fiber, while the Suri has longer, silkier fiber that hangs in locks. Breeders estimate less than 10% of alpacas are Suris. Both breeds come in a wide array of colors and coat patterns. On average, adult alpacas range from 32 to 39 inches in height at the shoulders and weigh between 106 and 185 pounds. Males tend to be about 10 pounds heavier than females. Alpacas are the smallest members of the camelid family. Llamas stand nearly 4 feet tall at the shoulder and weigh up to 350 pounds, while camels may reach 6.5 feet at the shoulder and weigh over 1,300 pounds. Alpacas have shorter muzzles and ears than llamas. Mature male alpacas and llamas have fighting teeth. A few females develop these additional teeth, too. Llamas in Machu Pichu, Peru. itakayuki  / Getty Images Habitat and Distribution Thousands of years ago in Peru, vicuà ±as were domesticated to produce alpacas. Alpacas can breed with llamas, which were domesticated from guanacos. Modern alpacas carry mitochondrial DNA from both vicuà ±as and guanacos. When the Spanish conquistadors invaded the Andes in 1532, 98% of the alpaca population died from disease or was destroyed. Up to the 19th century, alpacas lived almost exclusively in Peru. Today, there are about 3.7 million alpacas. They are found everywhere in the world, except Antarctica. Alpacas are adapted to live at high altitudes with temperate conditions, but they readily adapt to a wide range of habitats. Diet Alpacas are herbivores that graze on grass, hay, and silage. Ranchers sometimes supplement their diet with grain. Like other camelids, alpacas have three-chambered stomachs and chew cub. However, they are not ruminants. A group of white alpacas on a farm in Scotland. Gannet77 / Getty Images Behavior Alpacas are social herd animals. A typical group consists of an alpha male, one or more females, and their offspring. Although alpacas can be aggressive, they are extremely intelligent, easily trained, and able to form strong bonds with humans. Lamoids, including alpacas, communicate via body language and vocalization. Sounds include humming, snorting, grumbling, screaming, screeching, clucking, and snorting. Alpacas can spit when stressed or to indicate lack of interest in a mate. Technically, the spit consists of stomach contents rather than saliva. Alpacas urinate and defecate in a communal dung pile. This behavior makes it possible to house train an alpaca. Reproduction and Offspring While alpacas can breed any time of the year, most ranchers choose spring or autumn. Females are induced ovulators, which means mating and semen cause them to ovulate. For breeding, a male and female may be housed in a pen together or one male may be placed in a paddock with several females. Gestation lasts 11.5 months, resulting in a single offspring, which is called a cria. Rarely, twins may be born. A newborn cria weighs between 15 and 19 pounds. Crias may be weaned when they are six months old and weigh about 60 pounds. Although females are receptive to breeding within a couple of weeks of giving birth, overbreeding can lead to uterine infections and other health problems. Most ranchers only breed alpacas once a year. Females may be bred when they are at least 18 months old and have reached two-thirds of their mature weight. Males may be allowed to breed when they are two to three years of age. The average alpaca lifespan is 15 to 20 years. The longest-lived alpaca reached 27 years of age. An alpaca cria is a smaller version of its parents.   PHOTO 24 / Getty Images Conservation Status Because they are domesticated animals, alpacas do not have a conservation status. The species is abundant and has grown in popularity as demand for alpaca fiber has increased. Alpacas and Humans Alpacas are kept as pets or for their fleece. The fleece is silky, flame-resistant, and lanolin-free. Usually, alpacas are sheared once a year in the spring, yielding between five and ten pounds of fleece per animal. Although they are not routinely killed for meat, alpaca meat is palatable and high in protein. Sources Chen, B.X.; Yuen, Z.X. Pan, G.W. Semen-induced ovulation in the bactrian camel (Camelus bactrianus). J. Reprod. Fertil. 74 (2): 335–339, 1985.Salvà ¡, Bettit K.; Zumalacà ¡rregui, Josà © M.; Figueira, Ana C.; Osorio, Marà ­a T.; Mateo, Javier. Nutrient composition and technological quality of meat from alpacas reared in Peru. Meat Science. 82 (4): 450–455, 2009. doi:10.1016/j.meatsci.2009.02.015Valbonesi, A.; Cristofanelli, S.; Pierdominici, F.; Gonzales, M.; Antonini, M.  Comparison of Fiber and Cuticular Attributes of Alpaca and Llama Fleeces. Textile Research Journal. 80 (4): 344–353 2010. doi:10.1177/0040517509337634Wheeler, Jane C. South American camelids – past, present and future. Journal of Camelid Science. 5: 13, 2012.

The Theory Of Social Work Practice - 2829 Words

Introduction Social work practice is also known as a type of practice that is used to help and assist individuals that are struggling while under the condition of welfare and social issues. There are multiple social work practice fields and centers that many social workers can assist clients in, such as substance abuse centers, domestic violence centers, and child welfare centers. A resourceful tool that can be used for social workers to help understand and connect theories and social work concepts and tie them with social work practical tasks. This model is called a personal practice model. When assisting a client, regardless of what field the social worker is taking part in, it is important to know more about the client. They should be understood through different social and psychological theories, cultural competencies, and personal and professional values. Practice Components Conceptual Frameworks There are many different types of theories that relate to social work practice. However, there are three types of theories and perspectives in particular that relate to social work practice shaping society. These three theories are the systems theory, empowerment perspective, and the strengths perspective. The systems theory involves a structure that can shape social workers how they can view the world (Kirst-Ashman, 2012). According to Kirst-Ashman (2012), understanding the systems theory is important because it can help generalist practice social worker target any systemShow MoreRelatedThe Theories And Practices Of The Social Work Profession1379 Words   |  6 Pagesin the social work profession, there are many theories and practices that are used to help each client. Every social worker uses theories differently and has their own therapy techniques that they use with clients, depending on the situation that the client is in and what they are most likely to r espond to. Person Centered Theory (PCT) and therapy was developed by Carl Rogers (Walsh, 2015). This approach allows the client to be at the center of their own therapy. Person Centered Theory believesRead MoreSocial Work Practice Theory Paper1442 Words   |  6 PagesSocial Work Practice Theory Paper Introduction For this paper, I have decided to research two social work theories and how those theories apply to residents in long term care facilities. The primary focus will be those residents who are alert, oriented, and showing minimal symptoms of dementia. Problem population In my practice as a social worker in a long term care setting, I have become aware these are the resident who lack to ability to care for themselves due to physical limitations as opposedRead MoreInfluence Of Systems Theory And Whanau Ora Approach On Social Work Practice Essay2587 Words   |  11 Pagesessay will discuss what social work is and its role in New Zealand society. This essay will then examine the influence of Systems Theory and the Whanau Ora approach on social work practice. 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Scientific and social theory The definition of theory and concept in the scientificRead MoreExperiencing Grief Essay1499 Words   |  6 PagesIn an increasingly globalised world, it is important that social workers are aware of the multitude of loss that immigrants experience and how this impacts on their life and the lives of others. Grief is a complex emotional response that arises from experiences of loss (Kanel 2003). Loss can be multidimensional and accompanies most big changes in our lives (Goldsworthy 2005, p. 176). Moving to another country involves multiple diverse changes, in which people experience a variety of loss (LeeRead MoreThe subject of this case study is Emily Lang. Emily is an 18 year old woman who has come into a1400 Words   |  6 Pageson the family. Social work, as per the AASW, is the practice of liberating and empowering people to enhance their well-being, problem solving in human relationships and promoting social change. 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Moreover, my learning about anti-racist and anti-oppressive practice helps meRead MoreAnti Islam : Anti Oppressive Practice Essay1683 Words   |  7 PagesGROUP WORK ASSIGNMENT ON: - ANTI-OPPRESSIVE PRACTICE Name – KOUSHIK MAHATO Enrolment No. - M2015CJ010 Course Teacher - Prof. BIPIN JOJO INTRODUCTION ‘Anti-Oppressive Practice’- is an umbrella term that encircles radical, structural, critical, feminist, liberal, anti-racist framework practice approaches. But it is not limited within those approaches. Anti-Oppressive social work is a practice represents the theories and approaches of social justice. Anti-Oppressive Practice (AOP) is

Faculty Evaluation System Free Essays

A proposed Faculty Performance Evaluation System for university of the Visayas-Dalaguete† Problem Statement The Faculty Performance Evaluation System will seek to answer what enhancement and design the school can adopt for a more effective and efficient automated System. Our project will provide the benefits and help the school to collect the feedback from the students and provide security and privacy respectively. Specifically, it endeavors to answer the following questions: 1 . We will write a custom essay sample on Faculty Evaluation System or any similar topic only for you Order Now Why is there a need to replace the manual system with an automated one? . What will be the benefits of having the automated faculty performance evaluation system In the university of the Visayas – Dalaguete? 3. How can automated faculty performance evaluation system help the school? 4. How can we provide security to our system? ED: What are the first steps that SIG schools and districts should take when re- thinking their teacher evaluation systems? CD: First, there needs to be an Intense dialogue with faculty members about what constitutes good teaching. They need to develop a shared understanding of what is good practice. They can do a book study hat defines good teaching in a coherent way, what it looks like, and what counts as evidence of good teaching. I’ve worked on a framework for effective teaching. The big Idea that underlines this framework is that students learn from high levels of student intellectual engagement. There’s a ton of research on that, but it’s hard to do because In general, students aren’t taught that way. The challenge Is to get people to understand how to engage students in learning. Second, there needs to be an effort to create a culture in the school around continued learning and professional inquiry. You’re not done learning when you start teaching. Teaching is enormously complex work that people work to master over their entire careers. No one should act like it’s easy because It’s not. Then, teachers can move to on the ground work with students. They can analyze student work for levels of student engagement. If they have money to spend, they can get equipment to videotape themselves teaching to use for self- reflection. tx a powerful technology because teachers can watch their own lesson, observe other teachers, share their practice, and engage in dialogue. ED: Are there t Of2 speclTlc cnallenges In Implementing a tnougntTul evaluatlon system In low- erforming schools? CD: Not really. It’s the same challenge, Just harder. One of the problems in low-performing schools is that teacher turnaround is higher, which means they could hav e more novice teachers. Beginning teachers, because they are inexperienced, need more intensive supervision and coaching than do their more experienced colleagues. It’s essential that both the teacher and the district ascertain whether they are a good match. On the flip side, of course, new teachers frequently come with a lot of energy and enthusiasm for the work, and that can make a real contribution to a school. But the higher level of supervision by a principal takes time, and that’s one of the issues with any evaluation system – finding the time to do it well. I don’t think it’s helpful or harmful. It’s Just the nature of it. There’s also the school culture element. Let’s say you’re my principal and a typical observation is one where you come in, observe my lesson, write it down, and tell me what I did wrong or right. l, as a teacher, have done nothing. If the school culture is one of inspection, then all I would want to do is to â€Å"get through† the evaluation. I’m not going to try anything interesting in my class while you’re there. That typical process of where my role as a teacher is passive. There’s no learning for me as a teacher. Creating a different type of culture is a leadership challenge. For the new teachers not to be performing at the same level as experienced teachers – that’s natural. The culture should be one where professional growth and learning are understood to be part of everyone’s Job forever, and learning is not a sign of deficiency. To have an effective teacher evaluation system, you need good, trained evaluators and more time from teachers and administrators to discuss performance and improve teaching and learning. ED: What about the problem of resources, especially in times of budget cuts? How do schools and districts keep their commitment to this type of a teacher evaluation system? CD: I don’t think it’s a resource problem. It’s a prioritization problem and also a training issue for evaluators. When a teacher or union activist says that principals don’t know what they are doing when theyre evaluating teachers, they are usually right! One of the things I’m working on is an actual evaluator certification program. The need for credentialing evaluators has been written into state law in a few places including Illinois and New York. How to cite Faculty Evaluation System, Papers

Bill of Rights free essay sample

This paper argues the right interpretation of Bill of Rights, presenting the opinions of two political scientists Leonard W. Levy and Akhil Reed Amar. This paper examines the Bill of Rights. It shows that this is not only an ambiguous document but its interpretation has not generated the kind of application it needs in todays world. Levy and Amars argument and interpretation through historical evidence show this fact. Their two interpretations are presented, compared and analyzed. Two of the most renowned authors in American history, Amar and Levy attempt to rejuvenate Bill of Rights, by interpreting its usage for this century. While one takes a liberal view of the Bill, the other takes a very detailed interpretation of the connotation of the law prevalent at the time. Leonard W. Levy in his Origins of the Bill of Rights argues that the Bill of Rights is not only a militarized document but also it is also a document for the purpose of the ruling class. We will write a custom essay sample on Bill of Rights or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page On the other hand Akhil Reed Amar in his The Bill of Rights argues that the rights of the individuals is incorporated in the Bill but it needs further interpretation for proper application.