ABOUT ALPACAS

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.

Outside of their native South America, the number of alpacas found in other countries is
extremely limited. In fact, 99 percent of the world's approximately three million alpacas are found in Peru, Bolivia, and Chile.

Alpacas were first imported to the United States in1984. Alpacas are now being successfully raised and enjoyed throughout North America and abroad. There are two types of alpacas - the Huacaya with full, fluffy, crimped fleeces, and the Suri whose coats hang in long silky lustrous locks. 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 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. Clean-up is easy since alpacas deposit droppings in only a few places in the paddock. Alpacas can be raised on relatively small acreage and they are clean, safe, quiet, intelligent and disease resistant. Alpacas have soft padded feet, are gentle on the land and can be easily transported.

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.