Facts about Alpacas
Alpaca Knowledge
The home of the Alpaca originated in the South American Andes Mountains. They lived and still live today at high altitudes in harsh conditions. This environmental conditioning has created an animal that is very hardy and designed to survive the elements. The dense, highly valued fleece is a product of a gene pool created by the ancestors of today's Alpaca.
- The Alpaca is one of the most gentle, graceful, and quiet creatures that God ever put on the face of this earth. They are often used in therapy.
- Alpacas are a member of the camelid family and are closely related to llamas, vicunas, and quanacos.
- There are two different alpacas types, the suri and the huacaya.
- Fiber on the Suri grows long and drops in pencil-type locks.
- Fiber on the huacaya is dense with a crimpy fleece. They have more of a woolly look than the Suri.
- Alpacas have soft padded feet, making them gentle on pastures.
- Alpacas will grow to 36" at the withers on average and weigh from 100 to 175 pounds.
- Alpacas are small and gentle and can be transported over short distances in a minivan.
- Alpacas are easily handled by most people, including children.
- Alpacas have no top teeth in the front.
- Alpacas have a life span of 15 to 20 years.
- The gestation period for an Alpaca is 11.5 months. They have a long reproductive live.
- Alpacas are herd animals and should live among other Alpacas.
- Alpacas can be taught simple tricks and can learn to pull a cart.
- Alpacas are clean and intelligent. As a group, they defecate in a general area.
- Communication among Alpacas consists of soft humming and body languages. They will make sounds of alarm if seeing an intruder.
- Alpacas love water. They will lay in a children's wading pool if offered.
- Alpacas will provide a long-lived investment for you both in reproduction value and production of fleece during their entire life span.
Please email me with any other questions you might have at Julie@bramasolealpacas.com
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