Orcas Island Klickitat

ARI # 814524
gelding  b. 4-8-1999
Steptoe x Inca King Tux

 

Klickitat is our alpaca! Klick isn't really bonkers about allying himself with any human, but Jim has laid claim to him anyway (although Klick's fleece, once separated from him, becomes community property).

Klickitat weighed 148 pounds when he arrived in November 2001; we will submit a fleece sample for a micron count at his next shearing in the spring of 2002.

Klickitat is a welcome part of our tiny fiber production and (larger) education crew, but the primary reason we originally took him was as a pal for Lummi. When Lummi died, we thought we would return Klick temporarily to his former herd. We found instead that after a short period of adjustment, Klick is enjoying himself just fine with the llamas ... and so he gets to stay here while we are looking for the perfect alpaca pal for him (and us).

Klick's breeder chose to castrate him for several good reasons. Although Klickitat is registered as a huacaya alpaca, his fleece is actually an intermediate type (perfectly fine for weaving, but not ideal for knitting). We have noted also that Klick is definitely jumpy and a stress-kicker, two characteristics that are both no fun to manage and quite heritable. Unlike most lamas prone to instinctive reactions, however, Klick really tries hard to control himself and is truly remorseful when he finds he's hurt someone.

Klick enjoys his daily supplement -- what his former owner calls "crumpies" -- and likes to show off his athletic prowess with great leaps and airborne twists. In hot weather, Klick especially enjoys a good hosing-down.

"Klickitat" is the name of a native tribe that dwelled in the Columbia River Gorge near the present-day location of The Dalles. "Klickitat" was not, however, what the tribe called itself, but rather the name it earned from it's neighbors ... "Klickitat" means "robber" or "thief"! When Klick was younger, he was definitely a robber of anything edible that he wanted, and a right scoundrel and pest. With age, he's mellowed, but the name still fits -- when he gives you a hug, you know he's a real heart-thief ... and when it's time for crazy pasture games, Klick definitely steals the show!

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