Alpacas spit primarily as a form of communication within their herd. They use spitting to establish dominance, settle disputes, especially over food, and express displeasure or stress. Females may also spit at males to repel unwanted advances during breeding season. The spit is often a foul-smelling mixture of partially digested food and saliva. While alpacas can spit at people, it is usually a response to feeling threatened or encroached upon rather than outright aggression. Spitting is generally a last resort defensive behavior, and alpacas usually prefer to avoid it due to the unpleasant taste to themselves.
