They are traditionally found grazing in the upper reaches of the Andes in Southern Peru.
But one alpaca has discovered it prefers the creature comforts of this Scottish home far more.
Annie the alpaca was hand-reared by Dannie Burns, after she was rejected by her mother at just 10-minutes-old.
More than comfortable with her surroundings, she never moved out and, according to Mr Burns, now thinks she is a dog.
Mr Burns takes her everywhere – in the big back seat of the Vauxhall Zafira he bought especially for her.
Annie and her daughter Baillie enjoy the comfort of owner Dannie Burns’ house in Stirling
Now Annie, four, is pregnant with a baby of her own, but has still rejected the 75-strong herd in the fields outside, preferring to stay indoors with his three Labradoodle dogs.
If her baby follows in its mum’s footsteps Mr Burns could soon need a bigger car – and a home even bigger than his 300 square metre house.
Mr Burns, from Stirling, said: ‘I’m not sure if her next baby will act like her or like an alpaca but we may need to get an extension if the baby does.
‘Annie is due to give birth again at the end of September.
‘She acts even more like a dog now. Every time the door opens she lies next to the telly just like a dog would.’
He now runs The Alpaca Trekking Centre in Stirling, after setting up the facility to look after cows, sheep, and even a golden eagle.
Annie was rejected by her mum and had to be bottle-fed every two hours by Mr Burns, forming their bond.
Hanging around with his canine pals rubbed off, and Annie has grown up acting in exactly the same way as a dog.
He thought she might grow out of indoor living, but even after she had her first baby Bailey, now two, she still remained a house pet.
Bailey lives outside with the herd, but mum Dannie prefers to socialise with the three dogs in the comfort of the house.
And baby Bailey also likes to follow her mum inside – getting the best of both worlds.
Dannie Burns hand-reared Annie after she was rejected as a baby. Already mum to Baillie, the alpaca who thinks she is a dog, is pregnant again
Annie is now pregnant with her second baby, which is due next month.
‘We’re all very excited, it’s a busy life but it’s good fun,’ Mr Burns said.
‘Everyone thinks I’m crazy, but I don’t mind.’
Annie lives on a diet of grains, barley and oats, as well as other stuff she scavenges.
However, Mr Burns said she also has some more unusual tastes.
He said: ‘She likes chewing gum, chocolate, apples, bananas.
‘She chews cables – they’ve got no front teeth at the top but at the back they’re quite sharp.
‘It’s not as bad as having a puppy which chews your shoes.’
