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Alpacas are members of the camelid family, which includes alpacas, Dromedary and Bactrian camels, llamas, vicunas, and guanacos. Alpaca are indigenous to the Andes Mountains of South America, primarily in Peru, Chile and Bolivia. There they developed into hardy animals with thick fleece to withstand the cold, living on sparse vegetation. Alpacas are smaller than llamas, and are therefore not used as pack animals like llamas. Alpacas are bred primarily for their soft luxurious fleece, which is very similar to cashmere. In 1984 some specially selected alpacas were brought into the United States and Canada. The importation of alpacas was stopped in 1998. The alpacas that are here are the only breeding stock to improve the bloodlines. This makes breeding them a good investment opportunity. There are currently about 50,000 alpacas in the U.S. There are two types of alpacas, the suri (su-ree) and the huacaya (wah-kai-yuh). The suri accounts for only about 5% of alpacas in the US. It has fiber that grows quite long and forms what look like dreadlocks. The huacaya, which is by far the greater number of alpacas, has a shorter and more dense fleece. This fleece has a crimp, or waviness, similar to sheep's wool, but there is no lanolin, or greasiness as found in sheep's wool. The Hunter Hill Alpacas are huacaya. There are twenty-two natural colors of alpaca fleece. These colors can be blended into more colors, and alpaca fleece can also be dyed to practically any color. The fleece can also be blended with other fibers, such as wool or silk. Alpacas are shorn for their fleece each year, which will produce 5 to 10 pounds of soft, warm fiber per animal. In colder climates some breeders may shear their alpacas every two years to produce a longer fiber, but one year is normal. Hand spinners and the commercial fiber industry eagerly seek the fleece. Alpacas chew their cud similar to a cow, although they have three stomachs rather than four stomachs like a cow. Alpacas graze, eating grasses and hay. They are usually also fed a special mineral supplement in grain, especially for pregnant females over the winter period when snow and lack of vegetation prevents grazing. Alpacas do not have hooves, but soft padded feet with two toes and toenails, which have to be trimmed since they are not worn down by the rugged, rocky mountains. They have no top teeth in the front; when they chew they grind their food sideways, like a camel. The average height of an alpaca is 36" at the withers, and they weigh up to about 150 to 180 lbs. Males of breeding age (about three years old) are kept in adjacent, but separate pastures from the females. Breeding is selective, chosen based on bloodlines. A female may be shipped across the country for breeding with the selected male. When so shipped, she will be accompanied by at least one other alpaca since they do not live well alone. Alpacas are herd animals and do not like to be alone. There must always be at least two, or stress may set in, the animal will not eat, and could die. Alpacas have only one baby, called a cria, at a time - twins are extremely rare. Pregnancy lasts for about 11-1/2 months, and they breed at any time of the year. When giving birth, alpacas do not usually require any assistance, and have their young while standing. Another interesting fact is that alpacas give birth normally between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm. A cria usually weighs approximately 15 to 20 pounds, and begins nursing within 30 minutes of birth. They are weaned at about six months. The mother is usually mated again in about two weeks.
Alpacas are disease resistant and low maintenance. They are friendly and not at all dangerous; they do not bite, but may kick with their hind legs if surprised or frightened from behind, (but their feet are soft) and sometimes they may spit. Alpacas have a life span of 15 to 20 years, although that is based on life expectancy from South America - they have not lived here long enough to know what effect new living conditions, food and climate will have.




I strongly believe that alpacas are underrated. When I grow up I am changing my name to Al and starting my very own alpaca farm. I will make my house out of bones from my alpacas that have passed away. I will weave my clothing out of alpaca wool. I will sleep, eat, and play with my alpacas. I LOVE alpacas.