Alpaca Facts and Frequently asked Questions

Alpaca Facts

An alpaca is member of the Camilid family which includes the llama and vicuna.  Originally, alpacas come from the high mountains of the Altiplano in South America. Their average lifespan is 17-22 years with a height of 36” at the withers, less than half the size of a llama.  Alpacas weigh between 100-170 lb.  Females usually breed between 18-24 months and have a gestation of 335 days.  The babies are called cria and usually weigh between 15-20 lbs. The color of an alpaca may vary between black and white.  There are 22 natural colors but the white fiber can be easily dyed any color.

Alpaca Breeds

There are two types of breeds of alpaca: the Suri, which has a silky lustrous fine fiber with no crimp, and the Huacaya, whose fleece has a crimp or wavy quality that enhances its use in spinning. The North American alpaca population is largely made up of 98% Huacaya and 2% Suri.

Alpaca Diet & Care

Alpacas are considered a domesticated livestock. They prefer to graze in a pasture opposed to being confined to a small barn or stall.  Herd management is not complicated or difficult. Basic care includes proper feeding, watering and shelter.  Deworming and vaccinations, toenail and teeth trimming, and of course annual shearing are the major husbandry tasks.  Fencing should be designed to keep out dogs or coyotes and a lean-to or 3 sided barn is usually adequate (consideration of your environment is needed).

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q. Do they spit?

A. They will spit at one another to declare dominance but rarely spit at people.

Q. How much acreage does it take to raise alpacas?

A. Alpacas are ideal small acreage livestock. You can comfortably raise 5-10 animals per acre, it also depends upon grazing availability and property zoning restrictions for your area.

Q. What do alpacas eat?

A. Alpacas are ruminants, which mean they chew cud like a cow.  They do well on pasture grass or orchard hay providing it has a balanced mineral content. Usually protein/mineral pellets made for alpacas is given as a supplement. Costs vary depending upon the price of hay available in your area.

Q. What do alpacas do besides produce fiber?

A. They make excellent companion animals and have a high aesthetic appeal. They are easily trained to lead by a halter and can be gentle enough to be handled by children. They can be shown or used in a parade.

Q.  How do you transport alpacas?

A. Alpacas travel well and can be transported in a minivan, station wagon or horse trailer. Some breeders use professional transporters for cross country travel.  Once enroute, most alpacas will lie down and enjoy the ride.

Q. Are alpacas dangerous?

A. Absolutely not? They are timid but curious.  Some alpacas may come to you to get a treat, others may stand away. They like their necks pet but not their heads. They will sometimes kick if startled but with training they are friendly and make good pets.