About Alpacas

Alpacas were a cherished treasure of the ancient Incan civilization and played a central role in the Incan culture that was located on the high Andean Plateau and mountains of South America. Sine that time, their fiber has been celebrated for its durable, yet pleasurable qualities. Today, many North American alpaca breeders enjoy raising these beautiful animals for their fiber and investment potential.

Alpaca Information

• Alpacas were first imported to the United States in 1984.

• There are two types of alpacas - the Huacaya and the Suri.

• Alpacas live for about 20 years.

• Alpacas are pregnant for 11.5 months.

• Alpacas eat grasses and chew a cud.

• Adult alpacas are about 36" tall at the withers and weigh around 100 to 200 pounds.

• Alpacas are gentle and easy to handle.

• Alpacas don't have incisors, horns, hooves or claws.

• Clean-up is easy since alpacas deposit droppings in only a few places in the paddock.

• Alpacas require minimal fencing and can be pastured at 5 to 10 per acre.

Alpaca Fiber

Alpacas produce one of the world's finest and most luxurious natural fibers. It is clipped from the animal without causing it injury. Soft as cashmere and warmer, lighter and stronger than wool, it comes in more colors than any other fiber producing animal (22 basic colors with many variations and blends). The alpaca's cashmere-like fleece, once reserved for Incan royalty, is now enjoyed by spinners and weavers around the world.