What Are Alpacas?

Alpacas are native to the Andes mountains of South America, where they have been domesticated for more than 5,000 years. An alpaca is a gentle, compact, fleece-bearing, four-legged animal with a long neck, a small head and a pair of large eyes that radiate curiosity and friendliness. The ancient Incas wove their fleeces into warm clothing and also used the animals in their religious ceremonies. Today, the alpaca brings joy to an increasing number of owners and admirers in the United States. Knitters prize their fleeces, finding the yarn made from them comparable to cashmere.

The alpaca is descended from the same family tree as the camel. They are smaller cousins to the llama. Their height at the withers varies from 30 to 36 inches. Their weight averages 125 pounds. Alpacas differ in color. Twenty-two have been identified. The texture of the fleece also differs, dividing alpacas into two families. One family, the Suri, has long, curly, pencil-like locks that are silky and rich in luster. The other, the Huacaya, has a fleece comprised of thick, woolly, soft fibers. In both, the individual strands are finer than human hair, giving them a luxurious feel when spun into yarn.

Huacaya Alpaca

Suri Alpaca

For centuries, alpacas were found mainly at higher elevations in Peru, Chile, and Bolivia in South America. They were not introduced to the United States as farm animals until 1984. They also are raised in Canada, England, New Zealand, and Australia. They have adapted well to lower altitudes and warmer climate. Their fleece requires shearing once a year when the weather turns warm in Spring or early Summer. Craft spinners, and a fiber co-operative provide a market for the fleeces, which are converted into scarves, sweaters, and other items of clothing.

Full Accoyo Alpacas

Accoyo alpacas are either imported alpacas or direct descendants of imports from Estancia Accoyo, an alpaca ranch in Peru. Over a period of four decades of careful breeding selections, this ranch has become recognised as the source of the best white-fleeced alpacas in the world.

Alpacas and the Environment

Alpacas are earth-friendly farm animals. They survive on grass and hay, supplemented by small amounts of grain. Their three-compartment stomachs efficiently convert their food into energy. Typically, they will not eat leaves off trees in their pastures, nor will they damage the trunks. However, they will eat leaves that drop in the fall. Their padded feet do not damage the soil in their pastures. Because of their relationship to the camel, they do not drink large amounts of water, but they do need a ready supply. Finally, alpacas have one trait that makes them prized by gardeners. They drop their feces in a clearly defined area where it can be collected and used as compost.

Caring for Alpacas

Compared with other farm animals, alpacas are relatively easy to care for. An acre of pasture with good grass can provide forage for five to ten alpacas. They do not see fences as a challenge. Ordinary wire fencing will keep them confined. Because of their background in the mountains of South America, they can be sheltered in open barns. They are resistant to disease and have a long, reproductive lifespan.

Alpacas and the Family

To know an alpaca is to love one. They are gentle, easily handled, and safe around children. They are intensely curious about people and sometimes follow humans who walk across a field in which they are grazing. They also make eye contact with humans, which gives them a special appeal. Young alpacas and children bond easily because both are curious and, being at the same eye level, approach each other on common ground.

Owners of alpacas get a great deal of comfort and pleasure out of being with them, or simply watching them as they eat, mingle, and frolic in the out-of-doors. It is easy to become confused about them: Are they farm animals, or are they pets? Whatever. They still are the same lovable animals.