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A potted history of alpacas and their origins in South America In South America, Alpacas were a cherished treasure of the ancient Incan
civilization and played a central role in the Incan culture that was located on the high Andean Plateau and the mountains.
Alpacas are now being successfully raised and enjoyed in many countries of the World. There are two types of alpacas
- the Huacaya (like woolly teddy bears) and the Suri (with the dreadlock look).
The lifespan of the alpaca is about 20 years and the gestation is around
11.5 months. Alpacas eat grasses and chew the cud. Adult alpacas are about 36" tall at the withers and generally weigh
between 100 and 200 pounds. They are gentle creatures and easy are to handle. Alpacas don't have incisors, horns, hooves
or claws. As they deposit droppings in only a few places in the paddock, they are easy to clean up after. They require minimal
fencing and can be pastured at 5-6 per acre.
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Alpacas produce one of the world's finest and most luxurious natural fibres, and they are generally sheared
annually. The fleece is as soft as cashmere and warmer, lighter and stronger than wool. Woven into material
or processed into yarn, many fine garments can be created from alpaca fleece. It comes in twenty two natural colours
and can also be dyed to a range of beautiful shades, and is now enjoyed by spinners and weavers around the world
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