Alpacas

Alpaca

The alpaca is a type of llama that lives in the Andes Mountains of South America. The alpaca is part of the camelid family and is closely related to the well-known llama. Both are semi-wild domesticated animals related to the wild guanaco. Some think the alpaca may be a cross between a llama and vicuña.

Alpacas have small heads, a cleft upper lip, and big pointed ears. Their bodies are slender with long necks. They have long legs and short tails. The alpaca has 22 different shades of color for its coat, like black, gray, white, brown to name a few. They weigh 120-140 pounds on average. The alpaca is 3-3.5 feet tall at the shoulders, and measures between 4-7 feet in body length.

Of all the attributes of the alpaca, its history is the most interesting part of this animal. The oldest known recording of these charming creatures was 1,000 years before the great pyramids of Giza. The Inca nobles demonstrated their wealth by the number of alpaca's they owned, as well as showing off the beautiful fur garments. The trade in the fur of the alpaca, 2,000 years after the great pyramids, created a thriving Peruvian economy. So it continued for thousands of years with these magical animals creating wealth and prosperity for their Inca owners, until the 17th century when the Spanish Conquistadors conquered the Inca Empire.
The Incas sought refuge from the Spanish, and took a limited number of these precious animals to the heights of the Andes. If this had not happened, there may not be very many alpacas left today. These animals are easily domesticated. Others describe their personalities as being warm, friendly and gentle. The special charm of this mysterious breed has been a well kept secret except for the limited people who have the privilege to keep such a prize.

The reproductive periods for the alpaca are from 4-16 years. In the Andes the mating period is in August and September. The alpaca has crias [babies] about every 11 months, which weigh 15-20 pounds at birth. They live 15-25 years, with a few living up to 30 years. The alpaca live in herds. Alpacas live at elevations of 14,000 to 16,000 feet and on ranches throughout the world. The alpaca has very thick fur to survive the cold climate of the Andes. Its long neck helps spot predators among the rocks of the mountain slopes.

The alpaca is a herbivore, which means that it eats plants. The alpaca grazes on grass and eats weeds, shrubs and trees. It has special stomach secretions that help it absorb 50% more nutrients than a sheep, allowing it to survive where there is only poor quality grass. The alpaca is prey to pumas, leopards, and other carnivores in the wild.

The alpaca were almost extinct following the invasion of the Spanish conquistadors in regions of South America. They are now plentiful in the wild at about 3.5 million strong. These animals have been domesticated for over 5,000 year.

Alpacas are kept in herds that graze on the level heights of the Andes of southern Peru, northern Bolivia, Ecuador, and northern Chile at an altitude of 3,500 m (11,500 ft) to 5,000 m (16,000 ft) above sea level, throughout the year.

Alpacas were first imported to the United States in 1984. Alpacas are now being successfully raised and enjoyed throughout North America and abroad. There are two types of alpacas - the Huacaya and the Suri. The lifespan of the alpaca is about 20 years and gestation is 11.5 months. Alpacas eat grasses and chew a cud. Adult alpacas are about 36" tall at the withers and generally weigh between 100 and 200 pounds. They are gentle and easy to handle. Alpacas don't have incisors, horns, hooves or claws. Clean-up is easy since alpacas deposit droppings in only a few places in the paddock. They require minimal fencing and can be pastured at 5 to 10 per acre.

Alpacas produce one of the worlds finest and most luxurious natural fibers. It is clipped from the animal without causing it injury. Soft as cashmere and warmer, lighter and stronger than wool, it comes in more colors than any other fiber producing animal (approximately 22 basic colors with many variations and blends).This cashmere-like fleece, once reserved for Incan royalty, is now enjoyed by spinners and weavers around the world.

The Moche people of northern Peru often used alpaca images in their art. There are no known wild alpacas, though it’s closest living relative, the vicuña (also native to South America), are believed to be the wild ancestor of the alpaca. The alpaca is larger than the vicuña, but smaller than the other camelid species.

Of the various camelid species, the alpaca and vicuña are the most valuable fiber-bearing animals: the alpaca because of the quality and quantity of its fiber, and the vicuña because of the softness, fineness and quality of its coat.

Alpacas are too small to be used as pack animals. Instead, they are bred exclusively for their fiber and meat. Alpaca meat was once considered a delicacy by Andean inhabitants. Because of the high price commanded by alpaca on the growing North American alpaca market, illegal alpaca smuggling has become a growing problem. Alpacas and llamas can successfully cross-breed. The resulting offspring are called huarizo, which are valued for their unique fleece and gentle dispositions.