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Alpaca Facts and Information Alpacas are a true "Incan Gold." From the high mountain plateaus of Peru, Chile, and Bolivia, for the past 6,000 years they have been and remain treasured by the local peoples. There are two types: Huacaya and Suri. The difference is in the fleece. Alpacas look like small llamas or long-necked camels with no humps, especially when recently sheared. They have shaggy necks and camel-like faces with thick lips, pronounced noses, and long ears. Their large, expressive eyes seem to exhibit both wisdom and childlike curiousity. Easily domesticated, alpacas are friendly, gentle and curious. Alpacas are one of the oldest domesticated breeds of animals. Tended for their luxurious fiber, they played a central role in the Inca civilization of South America. Nearly driven to extinction by the Spanish conquerors, small herds survived in the high Andes mountains, one of the most inhospitable places on earth. · Their feet are padded and do little if not damage to the soil. · They are low maintenance livestock. · They eat & drink less than other livestock. · They require less room than other livestock. (6 to 10 alpacas per acre) · They nibble gently at native grasses and do no harm. · They make communal "poop piles," choosing favorite locations which they all use. · They produce a sustainable luxury product: fiber! · They even produce a useful by-product! "Paca Poo" makes Instant Compost! · They are smart and trainable and funny. · They have a gentle nature and a permanent little smile. The United States is home to a growing herd tended by people that have fallen in love with their gentle nature, and that have the vision to foresee a sustainable agricultural industry based on their fleece. Supported by an effective national breed organization, a state of the art registry, and a national alpaca fiber cooperative, alpacas are a golden opportunity for anyone seeking a more relaxed life that is closer to the earth. Alpacas are the environmentally-friendly livestock investment you don't have to butcher for income. Alpacas were exported from Peru in the mid-1980s and have become a premier livestock in North America and abroad. In the United States, the national Alpaca Registry (ARI) was formed to ensure breed purity and high standards. Importation from South America is now closed. Each alpaca born in the US is blood-typed before registering. This practice helps keep our North American standards high, our animals healthy, and our breeding practices more focused on growing the best alpaca fiber in the world.
FleeceThe hair of the alpaca is called 'fleece' or 'fiber' rather than 'fur' or 'wool.' Alpaca fleece has 22 natural shades ranging from black to silver and rose gray and white, from mahogany brown to light fawn and champagne. There are two types of alpacas, classified according to their fiber type:
Unlike the llama, the fiber of the alpaca can be used for clothing. Alpaca fiber is softer than cashmere or angora, and warmer and lighter weight than wool, without the prickle-factor that some wool has. Since alpaca fleece has no lanolin, it is easier to process and is hypoallerginic. Alpacas are sheared annually, usually in the spring. The fiber may be sold and processed into rovings, spun into yarn, knitted or woven into fine fabrics. Each step adds more value to the product.
PersonalityLike all animals, alpacas exhibit individual personality. They are herd animals, preferring the companionship of their friends and their established community, and will become stressed if separated from their buddies. Some cria exhibit independence at an early age, others may be momma's kids, just like two-leggeds. Gentle and curious, alpacas respond well to children, and many ranches are a family affair. A confident youngster can handle an animal in the show ring or on an obstacle course. Regional events sometimes offer a costume contest. Alpacas are well-suited for 4-H projects to learn animal husbandry. During winter holidays you may even see a couple of them stand in for their camel cousins in a Nativity scene.
HistoryThe oldest known records of these charming creatures was 1,000 years before the great pyramids of Giza. The Inca nobles demonstrated their wealth by the number of alpacas they owned and by showing off their beautiful garments woven from soft alpaca fleece. A thriving Peruvian economy emerged and continued for thousands of years with these magical animals creating wealth and prosperity for their Inca owners. When the Spanish Conquistadors conquered the Inca Empire in the 17th century, the Indians sought refuge the heights of the Andes and took with them a limited number of these precious animals. Consequently, alpacas escaped extinction, and they are now plentiful in wild herds at about 3.5 million strong. Indians of the Andes continue to shepherd them. In Peru in the 1940's, Don Julio Barreda purposefully began to breed alpacas toward better fiber and specific color. He utilized better nutrition by fencing his herd and rotating pastures. By paying careful attention to genetics, he created distinct herds of both huacaya and suri alpacas, and culled out llama genes. Today he is recognized industry-wide as the world's finest alpaca breeder. "Accoyo" alpacas are from the bloodline of his Peruvian herd. In spite of their rich history, alpacas were not well-known worldwide until recently. The first imports into the United States were in 1983, and now they have been imported into every major country. |
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