About Alpacas
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| HUACAYA ALPACAS |
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| SURI ALPACA |
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 mountains of South America. 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 world's 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.
Alpaca owners enjoy a strong and active national
organization. The Alpaca Owners and Breeders Association (AOBA) with a
growing number of Regional Affiliates and AOBA sanctioned national
committees addressing every aspect of the industry.
The Alpaca Fiber Cooperative of North
America (AFCNA) accepts fleece from its members, and turns the precious
textile into quality alpaca garments and products. Members benefit from
a ready outlet for their fiber, while the cooperative works to increase
awareness of and demand for this every day luxury.
The Alpaca Registry has been established to help ensure
accurate records and has a state-of the-art system to document
bloodlines. Alpacas must be blood typed in order to be registered.
Virtually every alpaca in the U.S. is registered.
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