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Home Page - Our Females - Our Males - The Farm - Alpaca Info |
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| Alpacas have been domesticated in South America in the Andes Mountain regions for thousands of years. The Incas used them for their fiber, which was referred to as the "fiber of the gods" for its silky feel and warmth. Gentle by nature, they stand about 3 feet tall at their shoulders on average, and weigh around between 100 and 175 pounds. They are grazing animals (ruminants) in the camelid family, and so are related to camels and llamas. They can live 18-20 years. | |
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(Front to back) Porter, Sullivan, Cochise - 2007 |
Their feet aren't hoofed, but rather they have soft foot pads, with
two large toes on each foot. Also, like goats, they lack teeth in
the tops of their mouths; instead, they have a hard palate that
their bottom teeth grind grasses against to 'chew' their meals.
Alpacas also produce and chew cud like a cow. They have a reputation
for spitting, but this is mostly done when competing to get into the
food trough first, or to warn off a male when the female doesn't
wish to mate. They are friendly animals and rarely spit at humans. In fact, these docile, social creatures can often be led around on a harness by small children, and they get along well with most other farm animals without problems. However, their only defensive mechanism is a swift kick with their hind legs, so it's best not to startle or irritate one when standing behind it! |
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The alpaca was relatively unfamiliar in the United States until the mid 80's. In fact, 98 percent of the three million-plus alpacas around today are still located in Peru, Bolivia, and Chile. In 1984, a few thousand were imported into the USA, until a ban on their importation halted their arrival a few years later. It's estimated that there are approximately 17,000-18,000 alpacas in the US now.
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There are two types
of alpacas: the more common and fuzzier
huacaya, with
sheep-like hair, and the rarer suri,
with long, kinky or curly hair almost like dreadlocks. Alpaca fiber
comes in at least 16 recognized colors, and is warmer and lighter
than cashmere when made into clothing. The alpaca has a long
gestation period of 11+ months, and generally has a single baby,
called a cria.
Alpacas often make a soft "humming" noise. This is a pleasing sound, and lets the other alpacas know that the humming one is nearby and happy. Often several alpacas will stand around and hum together in contentment. Sometimes this humming takes on an inquisitive tone, when the alpaca is investigating something in the pasture, or it can be more vocal, almost a squeal, when a mother is calling for her cria. |
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