Alpacas taking a break from show biz

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There were several pens of alpacas at the Perth Royal Show in Western Australia and I took the opportunity to take a photo of two of them having a break from talking to passers-by. Actually they are very timid creatures and although these were tame, they weren't exactly extroverts. To me, they always look as though they have their pyjamas on. Another interesting feature at the show was that every pen of alpacas and llamas had a big fan operating. You can see the fan in the background of the photo. I was running around in a sweater but I guess the alpacas and llamas must feel the heat and need to be kept cool. Alpacas were introduced into Australia in 1858. Their fleeces are quite valuable although shearing them seems to be difficult. They are stretched out on the ground to be shorn which must be a bit traumatic for all concerned. In our travels we passed places that might 20 or 30 alpacas in various paddocks; at other times we'd see one or two amongst a mob of sheep as they make good guard animals and will attack any foxes or dogs which might venture into their domain. As I said in my articles about llamas, alpacas differ from llamas by having short, pointed ears and a low-set tail. They are also smaller and average about 95cm in height. Like llamas, they can and do spit if aggravated. I wonder how much spitting goes on when they’re being manhandled to be shorn?