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Alpacas are one of the four members of the
South American camelid family native to the Andes Mountains. The
other three members are the llama, guanaco and vicuna. While llamas were
bred for packing and guarding, alpacas were bred for their fine,
cashmere-like fiber. there are two types of alpacas, huacaya and suri.
The primary difference is their fiber. Huacayas have fluffy, crimpy
fiber and suris have fiber that grows in long, silky dreadlocks. |
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Alpacas were domesticated by the Incan Empire
5,000 to 6,000 years ago. Clothing made from alpaca fiber was once worn
by Incan royalty. Alpaca fiber is not only soft, but also very warm and
strong. it comes in over 20 natural colors or can easily be dyed.
Clothing made from alpaca fiber is still considered a luxury item today. |
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The life span of an alpaca is around 20 years.
Baby alpacas are called crias (cree-yas). A female alpaca is bred at
around 14-18 months and males around 2 years. The gestation period is
about 11 months. Birthing is generally trouble free and alpacas have a
relatively long reproductive span.
Alpacas are smaller than llamas, averaging about 3 feet at the
withers. They weigh about 150 lb. and are typically gentle animals. They
are ruminant animals and primarily eat grass and hay. They are
intelligent, easy to handle and train to a halter.
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Alpacas are herd animals. They require minimal
shelter and are adaptable to a variety of habitats. They are considered
disease resistant animals and require minimal upkeep and veterinary
care. Alpacas are primarily found in Bolivia, Chile and Peru. Alpacas were first imported into the United States
in 1984. |
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