What are Alpacas?

Alpacas are part of the camelid family, being closely related to the llama.  There are four species of South American camelid: llamas and alpacas are domesticated and vicuna and guanaco are wild protected species.

All four are found mainly in Peru in the Andes, with smaller numbers in Chile and Bolivia.  Alpacas were domesticated from the wild vicuna into alpaca six to seven thousand years ago.  The incas were very successful in further refining the alpaca for better fibre quality.  When the Spanish invaded Peru in 1532, they destroyed the breeding programmes and the alpacas were decimated in numbers and quality in favour of sheep.

There are now thought to be about 3.5 million alpacas in South America and they are now being successfully bred in North America, Australia, Britain, New Zealand, South Africa, China and throughout Europe.  There are approximately 20,000 alpacas in Britain.

There are two breeds of alpaca, the huacaya (wa-kay-ah) and suri.  The huacaya’s fleece is wavy and this is usually referred to as crimp.  The suri’s fibre has no crimp, it is grouped in spiral locks (like dreadlocks) and is heavier and shinier.

Why Alpacas?

Over the centuries, alpacas have learnt to withstand extremes of temperature, light and moisture on the high inca plains of The Andes in Peru, Bolivia and Chile because of the exceptional insulation provided by its long fine coat.  This has made their fleece incredibly soft and light and it is recognised for its luxurious feel and lustrous qualities.  It is much warmer than other wools in cold weather and it naturally responds to the temperature – as the temperature drops, alpaca fibre will feel even warmer.  Conversely, it is light and cool in the summer.  The alpaca fleece is made up of hollow fibres which means it is incredibly lightweight, and this means we get the warmth without the weight.  This makes alpaca fibre a luxury item and as alpaca owners we all need to promote their fleece qualities and fibre products to ensure it is viable to process and to educate the general public in this wonderful fibre.

They are of course, also, the most adorable and inquisitive animals each with their own very different character.

How Long do Alpacas Live?

Alpacas generally live between 15 and 20 years.

What Size are Alpacas?

A fully grown adult alpaca weighs about 50 – 75 kg and is about 0.85m at the withers.  A cria (baby alpaca, cria is from the spanish word meaning creation) generally weighs 6 – 8 kg at birth.  Gestation is approximately 11.5 months and births normally occur during daylight hours with twins being extremely rare.

How Many Alpacas can I Have?

Alpacas are herd animals and should not be kept alone.  From our experience a minimum of no less than 3 is best with stocking rates of 3 – 4 per acre.  We have found it useful to have our paddocks in various sizes, keeping the larger ones for hay and allowing for movement and paddocks to be rested.  The alpacas love going in to a new field.

How Often Are They Sheared?

They are sheared once a year preferably between May – July when the weather is warmer and when the fibre is about 5 inches long.

Are Alpacas Easy to Look After and What Do They Eat?

Yes, they are easy to look after.  Alpacas are very hardy animals, they need clostridial and worming injections as well as bluetongue and they may need liver fluke injections but it depends on your paddock situation and it is best to discuss with your vet for your particular animals.  Their toenails need to be cut a few times a year and if there topknot is particularly full and dense this may need trimming round their eyes so that they can see.  They graze, eat hay and need a small amount of supplement daily to ensure they have all of the minerals and nutrients they need, and, of course, fresh, clean drinking water.  We also give ours fruit and veg carefully chopped into sticks so they do not choke and most of ours now will eat this out of our hands.

Do They Need a Shelter?

We have found all of our alpacas like to have access to a shelter particularly on the very cold winter nights and when there is a downpour.

What Colours are Alpacas?

They have 22 natural colours from white through fawns, greys and brown to black with many variations through the colours.

Do they Spit?

Spitting is a camelids defense mechanism.  Yes, they do spit but it is normally at one another and not at humans.

Alpacas and You

Whether you are looking for fleece providers, paddock pets, lawnmowers, breeding females, an investment opportunity or flock guards, alpacas are beautiful gentle and very inquisitive animals.  They are very calming and there is nothing better than sitting in your paddock and watching them.  Beware – they are dreadful time wasters!