Alpaca’s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_CD8Bvw1iyU

History

Only domesticated camelid of south America Developed around 7000 years ago Worshiped by ancient Inca civilizations Bred for fiber production Inca’s civilization was based on Alpaca’s fiber

(clothes, roofs, bridges) Provided food, fuel, and transportations

History

Spanish conquistadors killed the Incan people and with them the “humming sheep” that they cherished.

The surviving Incans fled with some of their alpaca’s into the high Ande’s mountains.

Sir Titus Salt of London discovered the “remarkable fiber of this musical camelid”

History 1983 Alpaca’s became more known in US Today over 3 million alpacas exist in the

world 98% are still located in Peru, Bolivia, and

Chile US herds are estimated at 17,000

Types of Alpacas:

Huacaya (wa-ki-a): The “teddy bear” alpaca,

whose full coat presents a round and wooly appearance.

Fleece is crimped, very dense, and covers all 22 colors

Account for about 90% of all alpacas

Types of Alpacas

Suri (sir-e) Alpaca with dreadlocks Full coat, non-crimped

lustrous “pencils” hang downward, creating a layered and majestic appearance.

Very rare,

Alpaca Fact’s

Size: A mature alpaca weighs 10-170 lbs and is 34-38

inches tall at the withers. Crias (babies) weight 15-19 lbs at birth

Lifespan 15-25 years, few live to30 years

Alpaca Facts

Reproductive Lifespan 12-14 years, 3-17 years for females 10-12 years, 4-16 years for males

Gestation Period 11 months, (335 days) healthy females can reproduce every year, one

cria multiple births are extremely rare

Alpaca Behavior

Herd Animals Make easy to keep together Social Easy to care for: like people

Alpaca Fibers

Colors more than 22 natural shades range from black to white

Growth Rate of coat each year 5-10 inches

Weight of fleece mature individual each year 1-8

pounds

Fleece

Specialty fiber

Almost indestructible Extremely healthy and

comfortable to wear hypoallergenic and soft on skin)

Different colors Can pay for the

maintenance of an animal

Care and Diet

Developed to withstand the harsh cold of the high mountains

Only need a 3 sided shelter Need shade and airflow in summer 5-10 animals per acre of usable land

Care…

Fencing: don’t challenge fences, but necessary to keep predators out.

Need regular worming, feet trimmed 1x/ 6 months, and annual vaccinations

Diet

Need good pasture

Low protein hay when needed

Small amount of grain (selenium and vitamins)