Frequently Asked Questions

Since we started this business, we are often asked, "What is an Alpaca?" This is usually followed by several other questions. So, we will try to answer a few.

	What is an Alpaca?
	What do Alpacas Look Like?
	What do you do with an Alpaca?
	Does an Alpaca Spit?
	Are Alpacas Easy to Care for?
	More Alpaca Facts

WHAT IS AN ALPACA?

Alpacas are members of the Camelid family, a long with Camels, Llamas, Vicunas, and Quanacos. The Incas, in South America, domesticated them over 6,000 years ago. Alpacas come from the highlands of the Andes Mountains, from the countries of Peru, Chile, and Bolivia. Alpacas were first imported into the United States in 1984. They were rigorously screened for quality before entering the country. The importation of Alpacas into the United States was closed in 1998. There are approximately 140,000 registered Alpacas in the United States.

WHAT DO ALPACAS LOOK LIKE?

Alpacas look like a small version of their cousin, the Llama, before a shearing; more like E.T. after, with their skinny long neck. There are two type of Alpacas, the Huacayas and the Suris.

Huacayas have a fleece that is crimpy (wavy), giving them a very fluffy appearance. Good crimp, density, and coverage of fleece increase the value of the Alpaca.

Suris have a lustrous fine fiber, very silky, with no crimp. The fiber grows in tight spirals that drape down, almost like dread locks. The amount of luster and tight spirals add to the Suris value. The world population of Alpacas is less than 4 million, with 90% being Huacaya and 10% Suri. Of the 25,00 Alpacas in the United States, less than 3,000 are Suri.
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WHAT DO YOU DO WITH AN ALPACA?

	Alpacas are fiber animals, raised for their fleece. The fiber is much stronger than wool. It is priced for its unique silky feel that comes without the itch of wool. Alpacas come in 22 natural colors that no other animal in the world offers.
	Alpacas are raised to increase breeding stock. Alpacas are rare when you compare them to, say, sheep! As the demand for Alpaca fiber grows world wide, the United States stands to be the next world supplier.
	Alpacas make great pets. People young and old fall in love with these fuzzy little guys. Alpaca shows are becoming more common. Because, they are so gentle, they are great 4H animals for children.

DOES AN ALPACA SPIT?

Alpacas spit at each other all the time. It is how they handle disagreements. They rarely spit at people, but they will if they feel threatened. We have one mom who will spit is SHE thinks you are hurting her cria. She is the only Alpaca on our farm that has ever spit at a person.

ARE ALPACAS EASY TO CARE FOR?

Alpacas are small and easy on pastures. They require some hay, a little grain, and water. They need basic shelter for shade and foul weather. Fencing is more for keeping other animals out than for keeping Alpacas in. They never challenge fences. They simply need shearing, worming, toe trimming, and vaccinations.

MORE ALPACA FACTS

LIFESPAN - 15 to 25 years

HEIGHT/WEIGHT - approximately 36 inches tall / 100 to 175 pounds

PREGNANCY - 335 to 360 days / one cria - twins are extremely rare

BIRTH - 90% of the time they do great on their own. Frankly, a lot of births are noticed when the cria is on the ground. Babies usually weigh between 15 to 19 pounds.