Huacaya

Alpacas are a domesticated member of the camel family. The camelit family also includes Llamas, Guanacos, and Vicunas from South America, and the Bactrian and Dromedary camels from Asia and Africa.
This family of animals originated on the plains of North America thousands of years ago.
Today there are about 3.5 million alpacas in the Andean highlands, most of which can be found in Peru.
The North American herd has increased from a few alpacas in zoos and private collections to over 20'000.
Alpacas are popular internationally for their luxury fibre and as pet, show, and investment animal in Canada, England, Australia, Israel and Europe, as well as the United States.

Reproduction, Birth & Babies

Male alpacas reach sexual maturity at about 2½ years of age.
Females are first bred at 16 - 20 month of age. Like other South America camelids, alpacas do not have a heat cycle and can be bred any time of the year.
An average gestation of 335 days produces a single baby (cria) which is usually delivered from a standing position during daylight hours. Twins are extremly rare.

Breeds, Fiber & Color:

The two breed types are the huacaya and the suri. Both fleeces are soft and free of guard hair. Ninty percent of alpacas are huacaya, with full, puffy fleeces whose crimp ore curvature is in the individual fibers. The lustrous, straight fiber of the suri hangs straight down, giving the suri alpaca an entirely different appearance.
Fibers of both types are considered luxury fibers in the textile trade because of their unique qualities. Yearling alpacas provide the finest fleece. The eight basic colors are white, fawn, caramel (light brown), black, grey brown (coffee), red and piebald (colored blanked on a white body).
No animal which produces fiber for textile use has such a variety of colors as alpacas. Their luxury fiber is compared to cashmere, it is about six times warmer than wool and not itchy. It is well tolerated by people who suffer allergies.

Physical Facts

Life Span: 15 - 20+ years
Hight: 32" - 39" at the shoulder
Birth Weight: 10 - 22 pounds
Adult Weight: 100 - 190 pounds

Health

While hardy and generally disease resistant, basic care of early vaccination, worming and regular toe and occational dental care is recommended.
Alpacas are shorn every year ( some two years) to harvest their exquiste fleece, and for health and management purposes.

Frequently asked questions :

What are alpacas for?

Alpacas are shorn for their valuable fleece. Its compact size contributes to easy management and to a desirability as a companion animal. Alpacas easily learn to lead, jump in and out of vehicles kush (sit down) , and obey other simple commands. They are popular show animals. Alpacas can also be seen at fairs and fiber fests throughout the country.

What do they eat?

Alpacas are modified ruminants. They rank high in digestive efficiency and do well on good quality, low protein forage and hay. Occational supplemental feeds vitamins and minerals are provided. An alpaca costs far less to feed than most traditional domestic animals.

What is their personality like?

Alpacas are alert, curious, calm and predictable. They need the companionship of other camelits, and will huddle together or move en masse when frighnend or wary.

How do they communicate?

Alpacas express themselves with a soft hum, with other vocalizations, and with body language, such as neck posturing, ear and tail postering and head tilt.
They have excellent eyesight and hearing, it will alert the herd and their human keepers with a staccato alarm of perceived danger. Alpacas rarely spit at people unless frighened or abused, but will use this form of communication with each other to register a complaint.

Are they registered?

About 95% of North American alpacas are Canadian or US registered, some are both. DNA technologie verifies lineages.

Suri