The alpaca is a member of the South American Camelid Family, which includes Llamas and Alpacas, as well as the wild Guanaco and Vicuna from which the Llama and the Alpaca were domesticated. Unlike llamas, which are primarily used as pack animals in South America, alpacas have been bred for their cashmere-like fiber, once reserved for Incan royalty.

Alpacas have been domesticated for over 5000 years in South America, specifically the Andes regions of Peru, Chile and Bolivia. Today, alpacas are raised worldwide.

There are two types or breeds of alpacas, the Huacaya (WA-KY-YA), which accounts for about 95% of the alpacas in North America and the rarer Suri. The Huacaya fiber has a fuzzy crimped appearance while the Suri alpaca fiber forms long pencil like locks .

Alpacas are very intelligent, gentle creatures that are quiet, and easy to care for. They even create communal dung piles making it easy for their owners to keep the area clean.

Alpacas average lifespan ranges from 15-25 years.

Alpacas average height is 36" at their shoulders.

Alpacas weigh from 100 to 180 pounds.

Their average gestation is over 11 months long! Normally ranging from 320 -376 days and females are typically pregnant again just 3 weeks after giving birth.

The average weight of a newborn alpaca is 15-19 pounds. Babies (or crias, pronounced kree-ahs) are usually standing and nursing within 30 minutes after delivery.

Alpacas are ruminants like deer and cows. They have a 3 compartment stomach, a very efficient digestive system, and consume only a single bale of hay per week.

Alpacas do not require special fencing or a lot of acreage (5 - 12 animals/acre depending on pasture growing conditions)

Alpacas are very social animals and communicate extensively with each other by humming, various other vocalizations, and body language. If vocalizations and body language are not sufficient to resolve a disagreement, the situation may escalate to spitting at each other. Alpacas do not typically spit at people.

Most alpacas in the United States are DNA tested to prove their lineage and are registered with The Alpaca Registry, Inc.

COLOR: Alpacas usually come in solid colors. there are 22 basic colors with many variations and blends.

Investment/Cost

Raising and selling alpacas is a serious part or full time business for many families across America. However, it is often the lifestyle and charm of the alpacas themselves that has really encouraged people to begin raising them. Pet quality Alpacas, such as a gelded male, can cost a few thousand dollars. Breeding quality maiden females will more likely fetch between 10 and 25 thousand dollars. Females bred to proven herd sires are often sold in the $20-25K range. Proven herd sire quality males can command significantly higher prices.

Alpacas are considered a livestock investment and can be depreciated yearly.

Further information about raising alpacas can be found on the web at www.aoba.org (Alpaca Breeders and Owners Association) or www.neaoba.org (The New England Alpaca Breeders and Owners Association).

Alpacas produce one of the world's finest and most luxurious natural fibers. It is clipped from the animal without causing it injury. Alpaca fiber is as soft as cashmere and comes in 22 recognized colors; more natural colors than any other fiber producing animal. Alpaca is warmer, lighter and stronger than wool.

There is a cottage industry of hand spinners who will purchase alpaca fiber and automated mini-mills that will process and return alpaca fiber in the form of rovings or yarn to its owners.

There are also organized cooperatives such as the New England Alpaca Fiber Pool and The Alpaca Fiber Cooperative of North America that accept fleece from their members and turn the precious textile into quality alpaca garments and products. Members benefit from a ready outlet for their fiber, while the cooperative works to increase awareness of and demand for this luxurious fiber.

Hand spinner, weavers and commercial mills around the world are producing stylish garments from alpaca that are warm and nearly indestructible.

Alpacas are principally grazers and do best on good quality grass pasture or hay in the winter supplemented with an alpaca mix containing vitamins and minerals.

As a rule of thumb, an adult alpaca will consume less than a single bale of hay per week.

The cost of feeding one adult alpaca in New England will range $125 to $200 per year or an average of $3 to $4 per week. The same or less than an average dog.

Agisting is a term used for boarding alpacas at a farm other than your own. The fee for this service is a minimal amount per day and is an option for those who do not have the land or time to take care of their own alpacas.

Often new owners will agist their alpacas while they are looking for farmland or getting existing land ready with fencing or shelter.

The benefits to "agisting" are: it makes it easy to begin investing in alpacas; the breeder feeds, houses and cares for the animal(s); the owner can visit and enjoy the animals as time permits.

Agisting is a sound way to begin investing in a new business while enjoying the appropriate tax deductions with relatively little risk.

They are stress resistant, load and travel calmly. Once en route, the Alpaca lies down and enjoys the ride. Alpacas are often transported in the back of an SUV or capped pickup truck

Alpacas prefer open pastures to a barn or stall but take calmly to stables or barns in the worst of winter weather.

They are mostly content with simple shelters in winter weather and appreciate shade in the summer's heat.

Despite their delicate appearance, alpacas are hardy and adapted to a harsh environment. A simple 3 sided shelter is adequate protection from a New England winter.