An alpaca is a four legged mammal within the camelid family.  They resemble a llama, but are smaller in stature and have a gentler nature.  Alpacas originated in Peru (Peruvian), Bolivia (Bolivian), and Chile (Chilean) within the Andes Mountains region, in South America.  It is believed that they are descendants of the Vicuna, which has the finest fiber in the world, but is not able to be domesticated. 

There are only two types of alpacas – huacaya and suri.  The huacaya (wa KI ah) has the shorter fleece, with crimp, and resembles a fluffy teddy bear.  The suri (sir ee) has longer fleece that curls like dreadlocks and has a “greasy” look (luster).  The male/father is referred to as the “sire” and female/mother, the “dam.”  A baby alpaca is referred to as a “cria.”

The lifespan of an alpaca is approximately 20 years.  The gestation of a cria is approximately 11 ½ months (345 days), however, the dam can “hold” the baby for up to four weeks after her due date; the cria is almost always born during daylight hours between 10am and 2pm.  Multiple births are extremely rare.  Alpacas grow to approximately 36” at the withers (shoulders) and range from 100 (small female) to 200 (large male) pounds.  Average sized crias weigh in between 13-18 pounds at birth.  Alpacas eat grain, grasses and hay; they are a ruminant, meaning they have one stomach with three chambers (similar to a cow) and regurgitate their food (cud) so that they are almost constantly chewing. 

Alpaca fleece is one of the world’s most luxurious natural (organic) fibers.  It comes in 22 recognized colors.  Alpacas are shorn every spring – they are very heat sensitive, because of their mother climate, and can become extremely ill and have even died due to heat stress.  Therefore, it is extremely important to shear them each spring and to keep areas of shade for them to keep as cool as possible in the heat of the summer.  Owners will even schedule breedings so that the cria will not be born in the middle of the summer causing the mother even more heat stress. 

Alpaca fleece is warmer and stronger than wool, softer than cashmere and finer than mohair.  Alpaca fleece is completely hypoallergenic because it does not contain lanolin. 

Alpaca Facts

• Alpacas are fiber-producing animals.
• One might consider alpacas to be “South American” sheep.
• There are two types of alpacas:
  • The Huacaya (wah-KI-ah): soft, crimpy fiber – teddy bear look
  • The Suri (sir-e’): little or no crimp that hangs down in beautiful pencil locks with luster and shine.
• Alpacas are a very intelligent, gentle, docile, curious, yet timid animal.
• They can easily be trained to lead and do obstacles.
• An Alpaca averages 150 lb. and stands about 36” at the withers,  making them easy to handle.
• They live an average of 20 years of age.
• Alpacas are herd-oriented animals and can get stressed or despondent and lonely if alone.
• Since the Alpacas are environmentally-friendly, you can put 5-10 on one acre, contingent on fencing, layout, terrain, etc…
• They make a humming noise which is very relaxing to their owners.
• Do they spit?
  • In defense – they can also stomp with their front feet as a way of defense as well.
  • Also, when eating at the feed trough they will spit at one another as they consider it “their food.”
• Do they bite?
  • No! They only have bottom teeth.
• Do they kick?
  • Sometimes! They will when approached or touched from behind – but the soft, padded feet usually don’t hurt, but it will get your attention!
• Clean up is very easy, as they are very clean animals in that they all go in one spot – a “poop pile.”
• Alpaca manure makes a great fertilizer for gardens!
• A baby Alpaca is called a cria (cre-a), which means creation in Spanish.
• The father is called a sire; the mother is called a dam.
• The female can be bred at 18 months of age and will carry the baby for 11-12 months.
• Females are induced ovulators and will have 12-14 cria in a lifetime, giving birth to a single cria each time – twins are rare, only 1 in 10,000.
• Delivery occurs almost always during daylight hours.
• A cria weighs between 13-18 lbs., is standing within the first hour, and nursing within the second hour.
• At about three weeks after giving birth, the female is re-bred;  therefore, she basically spends her whole life pregnant.
• A cria is with their mother for 4-6 months before it is weaned.
• Alpacas are fully insurable for theft and mortality - “a safety net for your investment.” 

Alpaca Fiber

• Alpaca fiber is one of the world’s very finest and natural materials.
• Baby Alpaca is the finest classification of Alpaca fiber.
• Thousands of years ago, Alpaca fiber was reserved for Inca royalty.
• There are 22 natural color variations of Alpaca fiber, including white, several shades of fawn, brown and gray, and true black.
• Alpacas shed very little and get shorn once a year.
• Shearing is done in the spring so they can keep cool in the summer.
• Their fiber can grow at a rate of up to 6” per year and yields between 5-10 lb per year.
• Compared to wool, it is many times warmer, softer and lightweight.
• Alpaca is as fine as cashmere and is similar to mohair in strength.
• People who have wool based allergies will not be allergic to Alpaca.
• Unlike sheep’s wool, Alpaca fiber does not contain lanolin (oil); therefore, it can be spun right off the animal.
• Since Alpaca does not contain the lanolin found in wool it allows for the hypoallergenic nature of the fiber.  Lanolin holds dust and microscopic allergens that create allergies to wool.
• A strand of fiber, if looked at under a microscope, has a hollow core which gives it powerful insulating value.  Since Alpaca fiber is hollow, it can breathe and is comfortable for any season.
• Alpaca fiber is smooth, unlike wool, and therefore feels less prickly or itchy next to the skin.
• Unlike Llama fiber, pure Alpaca fiber is free from coarse guard hairs.

Alpaca Food

• Alpacas are ruminants.   They have one stomach with three chambers.
• Alpacas graze in pastures and are supplemented with hay (orchard grass).
• Rather than pulling grass out by the roots when grazing, Alpacas bite off the tops and leave the roots to grow back again.
• Alfalfa is discouraged, as it has a high protein content that can be unhealthy for the alpacas.
• We use a vitamin and mineral supplement to help them get vitamins and protein.
• Fresh, clean water is always important.
• Always have fresh water - it can be heated in the cold winter months to eliminate freezing.

Shelter

• Alpacas are native to the Andes Mountains at 10,000 – 12,000 feet.
• Winter:  Shelter is needed for winter winds and storms.
• Summer:  Shelter is needed for shade.
• Fans are also used to keep them cool.
• Alpacas do not challenge fences, even though, if threatened, could easily clear a 5 foot fence.

Care and Maintenance

• Each Month – deworming
• Every 4-6 Months – trim toenails
• Once a Year
  • immunization and rabies
  • shearing
• As Needed – Trim teeth and taking out/grinding down fighting teeth

Transporting

• Alpacas can be transported in a mini van for short distances.
• For longer distances, a trailer is nice to have.  When in transit, the alpaca will “cush” (lay down) when they feel movement.