Facts About Alpacas

Alpacas are domesticated South American camelids, closely related to llamas, guanacos, and vicuñas.

Alpacas are primarily raised in Peru, Bolivia, and Chile, where herders have bred them for their fiber for thousands of years.

Alpaca fiber comes in 22 natural colors recognized by the textile industry, ranging from white and beige to brown, gray, and black — more natural color variation than any other fiber-producing animal.

Unlike llamas, which are often used as pack animals, alpacas are bred mainly for their soft, warm fleece.

Alpacas are herbivores with a three-compartment stomach (not a true four-chambered ruminant stomach) that lets them efficiently digest grass and hay.

Alpacas are highly social animals that live in herds and communicate through body language, humming, and ear and tail positioning.

Alpacas protect their herd by alerting others to threats, and may spit or kick when frightened or defending themselves.

Baby alpacas, called crias, are usually born during daylight hours and can typically stand and walk within a few hours of birth.

Alpacas typically live 15-20 years, and some individuals with good care have lived into their twenties.

Alpaca fleece regrows roughly 2 to 6 inches per year, which is why they need to be sheared annually, usually in spring.

There are two main alpaca breeds: the Huacaya, with dense, crimped, wool-like fleece, and the Suri, with long, silky, dreadlock-like locks.

Alpacas hum to express a range of emotions, including curiosity, distress, and contentment — it's one of their main vocal sounds.

Alpaca fiber is naturally hypoallergenic because it lacks the lanolin found in sheep's wool, making it more comfortable for people with wool sensitivities.

Alpacas have soft, padded feet rather than hooves, which makes them gentle on pastures compared to many other grazing livestock.

Alpacas were domesticated from the wild vicuña thousands of years ago in the Andes, long before European contact with the Americas.