Questions, Facts, Definitions, and Fiber Information

Here are some of the more frequently asked questions about alpacas as well as some facts and definitions.

Where are they from?  Alpacas are native to the Andes Mountains of Peru, Chile and Bolivia.  They were first brought into the United States in 1984 but are no longer imported.

Are they small llamas?  No, alpacas belong to the Camelid family, as do llamas, camels, vicuna and guanacos.  Just as horses and zebras both belong to the Equine family but are very different animals, the same is true of alpacas and llamas.  Llamas are raised as pack animals while alpacas are raised for their lustrous fiber.

How much land does it take to raise alpacas?  One acre of pasture can handle approximately 5-10 alpacas.

Are they difficult to raise?  They need shelter (3-sided sheds are great) to protect them from the heat and bad weather.  They eat pasture or hay, plus a small amount of commercially available grain each day.  They should also have free-choice access to trace minerals.  They need an annual shearing, annual vaccinations, periodic worming and toenail trimming.

Do they spit?  Spitting is a defense mechanism for them that is primarily used to protect their food or their babies.  It is rarely used on people. 

Why are they so expensive?  Supply & demand!  The supply of alpacas is limited in the United State with less than 100,000 animals in the country; no future imports permitted to be registered; a long (11 month) gestation period; single births.  Demand continues to grow dramatically as people search for the lifestyle and/or investment alternatives that alpacas can provide.      

Definitions

Agistment – boarding of animals

Cria – a baby alpaca or llama

Crimp – the natural curl in huacaya fiber that gives it strength and elasticity

Dam – the mother of an alpaca

Fiber – the fur or wool of an alpaca, also called fleece

Fiber quality or pet quality male – an alpaca who is gelded (castrated) so as not to be used for breeding purposes because of undesirable genetic characteristics.  Can make an excellent pet or source of quality fiber.

Herdsire or sire - male alpaca capable of breeding

Huacaya – one of the two types of alpacas, characterized by fine, wool-like fiber  

Sire – father of an alpaca

Suri – one of the two types of alpacas, characterized by deadlock-like fiber

Weanling – an alpaca under 1 year who is no longer nursing

Yearling – an alpaca between one and two years old    

Alpaca Facts

Lifespan: 20-25 years

Height: 36 inches at the withers (shoulders) on average

Weight: 150 pounds on average (range of 100 - 200)

Gestation (pregnancy): 335 days (range of 320 - 365)

Birth weight: 10-25 pounds, 15-19 average

Colors: 22 recognized colors from white to brown to grey to black  

Fiber

Ultimately it is all about the fiber!

Alpacas produce one of the top quality fibers in the world.  Of the commercially viable specialty fibers, alpaca is considered by many to be second only to cashmere (some of us think it is better!).   Alpaca fiber is so soft!  Compared to sheep wool, it is three times warmer and seven times stronger.  Many people cannot wear sheep wool products because the scales on the strands of sheep wool cause irritation or a rash on their skin. This is not an issue with alpaca fiber; so if you cannot wear a wool sweater, try alpaca!  You’ll love it!

Shearing is done once a year, before the hot weather starts.  The fiber is used to make a variety of products including coats, sweaters, scarves, blankets, dresses and rugs.   Some breeders sell their fiber to local hand-spinners; others send their fiber to regional co-operatives or to the national alpaca fiber co-operative.   Alpaca is considered to be an exotic fiber in the USA since it is not very common and, therefore, commands a premium price ($2-5 per ounce for raw fiber).

Since alpacas are native to the high altitudes of the Andes Mountains, over thousands of years they have developed a fiber with more thermal capacity than almost every other fiber.  The fiber strand is hollow which creates lightweight garments with high insulating ability.   This means that a lightweight sweater or shawl will provide you with more warmth and comfort than bulkier sheep wool garments.

Alpaca fiber is also easier and less expensive to process than sheep wool since alpaca fiber does not contain lanolin.  Alpaca yields a much higher rate of clean fiber after processing,  as much as 95% as compared to sheep wool, which only yields 45-75%. Alpaca fiber usually does not have to undergo harsh chemical washes to clean the fiber before spinning like wool.  This is better for the environment and you since there is no chemical residue on the garments like many wool garments.

Here at Spruce Ridge, we usually have raw fiber and rovings for sale as well as finished products such as scarves, shawls, mittens, hats and blankets and yarn.  We also carry a line of stuffed animals made with alpaca fiber that are just too cute!