Animal Information

Alpacas are indigenous to the South American countries of Peru, Bolivia and Chile. They are related to the Asian and African camel and cousins to the llama. They are well suited to cold climates, having been driven high into the Andes by European Conquistadors and their flocks of sheep in the 1500’s. In the mid-1980’s the United States began importing alpacas from South America. The Alpaca Registry, Inc. (ARI) registered all of the imported alpacas, carefully documenting lineage and protecting the pedigree, and therefore, value of each animal. In the late-1990’s, ARI stopped the registration process, which effectively stopped the importation of new alpacas into the United States. The history of these animals is rich with both strife and appreciation.

There are two breeds of alpaca: huacaya (wah-KI’-ah) and suri (surrey). The huacaya alpacas compose nearly 98% of the alpaca population worldwide. They have a dense, crimpy fleece, which grows perpendicular to the body, giving it a teddy-bear appearance. The fleece of the much more rare, suri alpacas grows straight to the ground and curls around itself forming locks.

The animals are easy to care for, especially in cooler climates, like Maine. Their dense fleece keeps them warm in the winter, and after being sheared each spring, they keep cool in summer by dipping their bellies in any available waterhole. A South-facing, three-sided shelter is all that’s needed for protection from the elements.

Alpacas are easy on the land, making them an environmentally sound livestock investment. One acre of pasture provides enough grazing for two to eight alpacas. When vegetation is sparse in the winter, grass hay can be supplemented, but little or no grain is needed. Their feet have pads, like a cat or dog’s, so they do not compact the soil, as do horses or cows. They also maintain “community dung piles," making them easy to clean up after. Their manure is wonderful organic fertilizer as well.

Veterinary care is limited to periodic parasite medications and vaccinations. Alpacas have two toenails on each foot that need trimming four to six times per year. Of course the fleece is sheared annually, giving us the magnificent fiber with which to spin yarn.

Alpacas live about fifteen to twenty years. They have an eleven-month gestation period and can produce one offspring each year – twins are very rare. They are induced ovulators, which makes them relatively easy to breed.

Kids and alpacas go well together! These are gentle creatures with a curious spirit. The females weigh only about 100-150 pounds, and males can weigh as much as 200 pounds.

To learn more about alpacas, visit the website for the Alpaca Owners and Breeders Association, Inc. www.alpacainfo.com.