High Plains ALPACAS

Alpacas are a domesticated member of the camel (camelid) family. The camelid family also includes llamas, guanacos, and vicunas from South America, and the Bactrian and Dromedary camels from Asia and Africa.

This family of animals originated on the plains of North America about 10 million years ago.

A common ancestor to the South American camelids migrated to South America about 2.5 million years ago. Two wild species, vicunas and guanacos, emerged. They still live in the Andes. It is believed that about 6,000 years ago alpacas were created through selective breeding which was heavily influenced by the vicuna. There are similarities in size, fiber, and dentition (teeth) between the alpaca and the wild vicuna.

Today there are about 3.5 million alpacas in the Andean highlands, most of which can be found in Peru. Since the major first importation into the U.S. in 1984, the North American herd has increased from a few alpacas in zoos and private collections to about 20,000. Alpacas are popular internationally for their luxury fiber and as pet, show, and investment animals in Canada, England, Australia, New Zealand, Poland, France, and Israel, as well as the United States.

Physical Facts:
Life Span: 15- 20+ years
Height: 32"- 39" at the shoulder
Birth Weight: 10 - 17 pounds
Adult Weight: 100 - 190 pounds

Health:
While hardy and generally disease resistant, basic care of yearly vaccinations, worming, and regular toe and occasional dental care is recommended. Alpacas are shorn every 12 to 18 months to harvest their exquisite fleece, and for health and management purposes.

Reproduction, Birth & Babies:
Male alpacas reach sexual maturity at about 2 1/2 years of age. females are first bred at 16 - 20 months of age. Like other South American camelids, alpacas do not have a heat (estrus) cycle and can be bred any time of the year. An average gestation of 335 days produces a single baby (cria) which is usually delivered from a standing position during daylight hours. Twinning is extremely rare and rarely compatible with life.

Breeds, Fiber, & Color:
The two coat or breed types are the huacaya and the suri. Both fleeces are soft and free of guard hair. Ninety percent of alpacas are huacaya, with full, puffy fleeces whose crimp or curvature is in the individual fibers. The lustrous, straight fiber of the suri fleece hangs down, giving the suri alpaca an entirely different appearance. Fibers of both types are considered luxury fibers in the textile trade because of their unique qualities. Tuis or yearling alpacas provide the finest fleeces. Depending upon its weight, quality, and cleanliness an alpaca fleece commands $200 - $400. The eight basic colors are white, fawn, caramel (light brown), black, gray, brown (coffee), red, and piebald (colored blanket on a white body).

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What are alpacas used for?
Alpacas are shorn for their valuable fleeces. Its compact size contributes to easy management and to a desirability as a companion animal. Alpacas easily learn to lead, jump in and out of vehicles, kush (sit down), and obey other simple commands taught all domestic members of the camelid family. They are popular show animals. Alpacas can also be seen at fairs and fiber fests throughout North America. No other animal which produces fiber for textile use has such an enormous variety of colors as alpacas. As in ancient days, alpacas are a mainstay to the Andean livestock economy, providing luxury fiber for export to the world marketplaces and meat for the Andean people.

What do they eat?
Alpacas are modified ruminants. They rank high in digestive efficiency and do well on good quality, low protein forage and hays. Occasional supplemental feeds, vitamins, and minerals are provided when required. An alpaca costs far less to feed than most traditional domestic animals.

What is their personality like?
Alpacas are alert, curious, calm and predictable. They need the companionship of other camelids, and will huddle together or move en masse when frightened or wary.

How do they communicate?
Alpacas express themselves with a soft hum, with other vocalizations, and with body language, such as neck posturing, ear and tail positioning, and head tilt. They have excellent eyesight and hearing, and will alert the herd and their human keepers with a staccato alarm call of perceived danger. Alpacas rarely spit at people unless frightened or abused, but will use this form of communication with each other to register a complaint.