Use caution — it depends on the amount and the situation.
Occasional nibbles are usually tolerated, but problems occur with large amounts, certain plant stages or vulnerable animals.
- Status
- Caution
- Scientific name
- Prosopis spp.
- Plant type
- Tree
- Also known as
- mesquite
- Toxic parts
- Pods eaten as a large part of the diet for months
- Toxic compound
- High sugar pods; unknown neurotoxin
- Region
- Southwestern U.S.
Why it matters
A few pods are a safe snack; problems arise when pods form most of the diet.
Signs of mesquite (pods) poisoning in alpacas
- Facial nerve damage: tongue protrusion, difficulty chewing ('jaw and tongue trouble')
- Impaction
If your alpaca ate a lot of mesquite (pods)
- Remove access and estimate how much was eaten.
- Watch for the signs listed above over the next 24–72 hours.
- Call your vet if any signs appear or if a pregnant, young or sick animal ate a large amount.
- Reduce the plant in your pasture and keep good forage available so alpacas aren't driven to eat it.
About the plant
Prosopis is a genus of flowering plants in the family Fabaceae. The current circumscription of the genus contains three species found in northern Africa, the Middle East, Central and South Asia. Previously it also contained around 40 species of spiny trees and shrubs found in subtropical and tropical regions of the Americas and Africa, now mostly placed in genera Strombocarpa and Neltuma. They often thrive in arid soil and are resistant to drought, on occasion developing extremely deep root systems. Their wood is usually hard, dense and durable. Their fruits are pods and may contain large amounts of sugar. The generic name means "burdock" in late Latin and originated in the Greek language.From Wikipedia — “Prosopis”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Frequently asked questions
Is mesquite (pods) poisonous to alpacas?
It can be. Use caution — it depends on the amount and the situation. A few pods are a safe snack; problems arise when pods form most of the diet.
What part of mesquite (pods) is toxic to alpacas?
Pods eaten as a large part of the diet for months.
What are the symptoms of mesquite (pods) poisoning?
Facial nerve damage: tongue protrusion, difficulty chewing ('jaw and tongue trouble') and impaction.
Is dried mesquite (pods) safe?
Drying does not reliably make poisonous plants safe. Treat dried leaves and contaminated hay with the same caution.
Keeping pastures safe
- Walk every paddock and fence line each season and remove toxic plants, including roots.
- Never throw garden, hedge or lawn clippings over the fence.
- Check pastures after storms for fallen branches (cherry, red maple).
- Buy hay from known sources and inspect it for weeds.
- Keep pastures well managed — hungry alpacas eat plants they would normally avoid.
Browse the full toxic plant checker, the printable list of poisonous plants and the list of safe plants.
This page is educational and does not replace advice from a veterinarian who has examined your animals. Camelid medicine uses many drugs “extra-label”, so dosing must come from your vet. In an emergency, call your vet first. Read our disclaimer · How we write and review content.
Data: plant status compiled from veterinary toxicology references (see sources); taxonomy and occurrences from GBIF; identifiers from Wikidata Q133422.