ABOUT Alpacas
         

(alpak´e) , partially domesticated South American hoofed mammal,
 (Lama pacos), of the camel family.  which also includes
dromedary and Bactrian camels, llamas, vicunas, and guanacos.
 Genetic studies show that ALPACAS are a descendant of the vicuña .
The animal is bred chiefly for its long, lustrous wool, which varies from
 black, through shades of brown, to white. Flocks of alpaca are kept by
 indigenous people in the highlands of Bolivia, Chile, and Peru.
  The Incas domesticated the alpaca and utilized its wool.

  There are two different alpacas  types, the suri and the huacaya.
 The suri has fiber that grows in long silky locks.
 The huacaya has a shorter, dense, crimpy fleece.  

Alpacas have a life span of 15 to 20 years.
Alpacas weigh from 100 to 175 pounds.
They have no top teeth in the front. Alpacas have soft padded feet.
They are a modified ruminant and chew their cud similar to a cow.

  An alpaca's gestation (how long it takes to have a baby)  is11 to 12 months,
They have single births (twins are very rare).
 A baby alpaca, (called a cria) at birth weighs between 15 and 20 pounds.

 
Alpacas are shorn once a  year, and will produce 5 to 10 pounds of fiber.
Alpaca fiber comes in 22 colorsthat are recognized by the textile industry,
and referred to as ( "The Fiber of the Gods")

What to learn more? Want to see these majestic animals, feel that fiber,
and see the wonderful products made from the incredibly soft warm fiber?
(3 X warmer than wool).

Give us a call> come for a tour, friendly people, and it's free!