What motivates behaviour in your alpacas? Could Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs help us identify some of what is happening?

Physiological needs are the basic motivators. This includes: breathing; eating; drinking; sex; sleep; relaxation; and movement. You can immediately see how this can be applied to alpacas.

Grazing demonstrates how alpacas can be moivated to seek out certain types of grass and avoid others (such as around the dung piles).

The urge to reproduce is seen in both male and female alpacas.

When doing something you do not normally do with the alpacas, think carefully about unintended outcomes!

The next level of needs after physiological are: safety; order; stability; health; and protection.

Key Take Aways

1. Alpacas are not human but do have a psychological dimension.
2. It is helpful to consider Maslow's Hierarchy of needs and motivations to help us identify why our alpacas do what they do.
3. It also heps us care for them appropriately by providing their basic needs 'alpaca-style'.

Let me know if you have any questions or comments, either below, by emailing steve@alpacatribe.com or using the speakpipe link to leave a voice message.

https://www.speakpipe.com/AlpacaTribe

LINKS

What is Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs? a motivation theory | ToolsHero

Maslow's hierarchy of needs is a motivational theory about five hierarchical levels of human needs, presented in a pyramid shaped model.

https://www.toolshero.com/psychology/hierarchy-of-needs-maslow/