About Alpacas
Alpacas, scientifically called “Vicugna Pacos,” are members of the camel family, domesticated by the people of the Peruvian Andes 6,000 years ago for food, fuel, and fiber. They are ungulates, a group of large-hooved mammals with large bodies and legs, long necks, small heads, and medium-length fluffy tails. They can grow 47 to 85 inches long and weigh 100 to 200 pounds, with an average life span of 22 years.
Unlike camels, alpacas are not riding or packing animals due to the weakness of their legs. They are close relatives to the Llama.
Unlike camels, alpacas are not riding or packing animals due to the weakness of their legs. They are close relatives to the Llama.
Alpaca Life
Alpacas are prized worldwide for their fleecy coats, which are shorn to make warm, soft, lightweight textiles. They boast a variety of 22 coat colors, including white, black, beige, and many shades of brown and gray. Though they are farmed in many places, including Australia, Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom, their native lands are the Andes mountains, from Bolivia and Colombia down to Peru, Ecuador, and Argentina.
The Huacaya and Suri
There are two domesticated breeds of alpaca: The Huacaya, whose fleece is crimped, compact, and soft, makes up 90% of the alpaca population, and the Suri, whose coats have a corkscrew-like appearance with longer fibers and a silkier texture, account for the rest of the population. They are typically sheared yearly in the spring or early summer before it gets too hot. Yarn made from Alpaca wool is cool to the touch.
Male and female alpacas are very similar in appearance. Males are larger and have more prominent canine and incisor teeth called fighting teeth. Domesticated alpacas have these fighting teeth trimmed to ensure the herd's safety. These teeth—which can be over an inch long—are uncommon but not unheard of in herbivores.
Male and female alpacas are very similar in appearance. Males are larger and have more prominent canine and incisor teeth called fighting teeth. Domesticated alpacas have these fighting teeth trimmed to ensure the herd's safety. These teeth—which can be over an inch long—are uncommon but not unheard of in herbivores.
Behavior and Diet
Alpacas have sharp nails trimmed regularly for domesticated, but wild alpacas wear them down on rocks and terrain. Their feet are padded and so soft they don't displace the grass they're standing on. They are strict grazers but like the occasional treat of Cheerios.
They're gentle, docile animals kept in herds and sometimes also kept as companion animals or pets, though alpacas are so social that they only thrive if they live with at least one other alpaca. A favorite quote of a farmer: “An only goat is a lonely goat,” meaning alpacas will not thrive being left alone. They stay in a fight-or-flight state, always looking for prey, and will suffer healthwise after a prolonged period in this state.
They're gentle, docile animals kept in herds and sometimes also kept as companion animals or pets, though alpacas are so social that they only thrive if they live with at least one other alpaca. A favorite quote of a farmer: “An only goat is a lonely goat,” meaning alpacas will not thrive being left alone. They stay in a fight-or-flight state, always looking for prey, and will suffer healthwise after a prolonged period in this state.
Alpaca Sounds
Alpacas have a variety of vocalizations, some of which have multiple meanings. They hum in a high tone to indicate a question, while humming more profoundly, called a "status hum," can signal anything from contentment to tension or pain. A soft clucking or clicking sound is a usual dinner call for crias that they are okay to eat. A short blast of vile spite can mean mild aggression or irritation. During emergencies, the alpaca makes a shrill, shrieking whistle that the animals use as an alarm call.
Reproduction
Alpaca males become sexually mature at two and a half years old. As early as one year old, we have had males try to start their own families. They are separated from females now and put with alpacas the same age. Younger male alpacas should never be placed with older male alpacas as they are not strong fighters and will be hurt as they cannot defend themselves with size and strength. That's why we have male yearling pastures, teenager pastures, and adult pastures.
Sometimes, we house local males with no partner born in their timeframe, so they are not left alone until they reach maturity age. Females reach maturity between ten and twelve months but are not usually bred until they are two years old and half their adult body weight. That’s because smaller females tend to have difficult births.
Sometimes, we house local males with no partner born in their timeframe, so they are not left alone until they reach maturity age. Females reach maturity between ten and twelve months but are not usually bred until they are two years old and half their adult body weight. That’s because smaller females tend to have difficult births.
Breeding
In their native environment of the Andes, alpacas breed seasonally. Outside of that range, they can breed year-round. On our farm, we do controlled breeding in spring only. This controlled breeding ensures the safety of both alpacas and only spring births. There is less chance of a cria being born in winter temps. A male will pursue a female until she signals receptive by sitting down with her legs tucked under her in a “cush/kush” position.
Pregnancy
Alpaca females don’t have consistent reproductive cycles with times of greater fertility—they only ovulate after having mated, at which point a female will actively reject male advances, a possible indicator of pregnancy.
Gestation lasts an average of 342 days but can last just over a year. Yet pregnancy isn't always evident in alpacas, even toward the end. Females give birth to one baby, called a cria, who will walk shortly afterward. Most crias (90%) are born in the daytime and weigh about 12 to 15 pounds. Usually, if born at night, the dame may have a difficult birth and need assistance. They’re weaned at about six months and are about a hundred pounds by their first birthday.