About Alpacas
Alpacas are a member of the camelid family, along with camels, llamas, guanacos and vicunas. Originally from 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.
Alpacas are raised for their soft and luxurious fiber. It is one of the world's finest natural fibers. It is clipped from the animal without causing it injury. It is as soft as cashmere, 7 times warmer and 3 times stronger than wool, and comes in more colors than any other fiber producing animal (approximately 22 basic colors with many variations and blends). Spinners and weavers around the world now enjoy this soft fleece, once reserved for Incan royalty.
There are two types of alpacas - the Huacaya (pronounced "wah-KI-ah") and the Suri (pronounced "surrey"). The main difference between the two is their fleece production. The Huacaya fleece has waviness or "crimp" which gives them their fluffy, huggable appearance. Suri fleece has little or no crimp, so the individual fiber strands cling to themselves and hang down from the body in beautiful pencil locks. Suris comprise a very small percent of the worldwide population of alpacas.
The lifespan of the alpaca is about 20 years and gestation is 11.5 months. Alpacas eat grasses and chew a cud. They are about 36" tall at the withers (where the neck and spine meet) and weigh about 150 pounds. They are gentle and easy to handle. Alpacas are safe; they don't bite or butt. Even if they did, without incisors, horns, hoofs or claws, little harm can be done.
Alpacas are intelligent and clean. Alpacas have a three compartment stomach, are browsers and are very economical to feed, requiring only good grass hay and a mineral supplement. They produce practically odorless pellets (similar to rabbit pellets) that are low in nitrogen and make excellent soil enhancers. Alpacas deposit their droppings in only a few spots, making clean-up simple. The pellets can be mulched and used as fertilizer in flower and vegetable gardens. Alpacas also require minimal fencing and can be pastured at 5 to 10 per acre, making them desirable to individuals residing on small acreage.
Alpacas communicate with a variety of noises, body postures and an occasional spit when confronted by extreme adversity. Their most common sound is a soft, pleasant humming. They sound off an alarm call to signal the approach of an intruder. Young alpacas are especially curious and often communicate by sniffing and touching other animals.
Tim and Cyndi Daugherty
3603 Hogge Drive
Parker, TX 75002-6733
(972) 442-0110
