Welcome to the intriguing world of alpacas. Alpacas are native to South America. They are in the camelid family along with camels, llamas, and vicuna.
Alpacas are only about 36” tall at the withers (the area where the neck and spine meet).They are gentle creatures and easy to maintain. They are an excellent choice of livestock for beginning farmers, women and children to raise. Their small size makes them easy to handle. Alpacas have no upper front teeth. They have padded feet. Biting and kicking is not a threat to alpaca owners as it is with other livestock. Alpacas can be easily halter trained in just a few lessons. Alpaca owners can enjoy showcasing their animals in many alpaca shows and fleece judging competitions across the U.S.
You do not have to have a huge farm to raise alpacas. As many as 6-8 alpacas can be raised per acre, depending on your climate and terrain. Many new planned communities with large acreage lots allow horses. These developments are also allowing alpacas since alpacas have always been regarded as a “high end” livestock that do not carry a strong odor, nor does alpaca dung. Alpacas are quiet creatures that only occasionally make clicking or humming sounds. They are gentle animals that do not challenge fencing and cause no bodily harm to humans or other animals.
There are two different breed types of alpacas: huacaya and suri. Physiologically, they are basically identical except for the fleece. Huacayas have a crimped fleece which gives them a fluffy, kind of “Teddy Bear” look and feel. Suris have no crimp so their fleece hangs in long locks in silky cascades. There are more huacayas in the U.S. than suris at this point.
Alpacas generally live for about 15-20 years, as documented in Peru. Since the first significant U.S. imports came in 1984, we do not have sufficient information thus far to determine the life expectancy in the U.S. We anticipate the life term to be expanded by the standard of care that is being promoted in our country. They can usually reproduce for the majority of their life.
Though they are still considered an exotic animal by some, alpacas are being recognized in the U.S. as a very desirable livestock animal. They are raised for their wonderful fleece which is considered warmer than wool and softer than cashmere. The market for alpacas is strong. Imports have been cut off by the U. S. Alpaca Registry. Breeding is a slow process as alpacas have an 11 ½ month gestation period and produce normally only 1 offspring and embryo transplant is not feasible. With the limited supply, alpaca prices are holding in the U.S. There are many positive financial aspects to alpaca ownership including many tax advantages.
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