Alpaca Facts and Information

Physical Characteristics

• Two kinds of Alpacas: Huacaya (wah-KI'-ya) and Suri (surrey)
• Huacaya fiber is short, dense, crimpy and gives a woolly appearance
• Suri fiber is silky and resembles pencil-like locks
• Short and low set tail
• Soft padded feet with two toes
• No horns, hooves, claws or incisors
• Eat grass and chew cud
• Adult alpacas generally weigh between 150 and 200 lbs.
• Average height is 36 inches at the withers
• Have three stomachs
• Adaptable to any climate

History

• Members of the Camelid family
• Native to Andean Mountain range of South America
• Primarily found in Peru, Bolivia, and Chile
• Provided clothing and transportation to the Incas
• First commercially imported into the United States in 1984
• Current figures note over 100,000 registered alpacas in the U.S.

Reproduction

• Average lifespan is about 20 years
• Gestation is 11.5 months
• Female alpaca normally gives birth, without assistance, in the daylight hours
• Baby alpacas are called crias
• Have single births. Twins are extremely rare. Most recent figures note 1 in 2000 is a twin

Behavior

• Alert, intelligent, curious, and predictable
• Social animals that seek companionship
• Communicate by softly humming
• Also communicate with neck posturing, ear and tail positioning and head tilt
• Deposit their odorless bean-like pellets in concentrated areas

Maintenance/Care

• Sheared without harm every 12 to 18 months
• Require minimal fencing. They can be pastured at 5-10 per acre
• Virtually disease-resistant animals
• Require annual vaccinations with tetanus and other locally appropriate vaccines
• Need routine parasite control
• Need occasional nail and/or teeth trimming

Fiber

• In ancient times, alpaca fiber was known as the "Fiber of Gods"
• Compared to cashmere
• Stronger, lighter yet warmer than wool
• Hypo-allergenic and contains no lanolin
• Naturally fire-retardant
• Comes in 22 natural colors