Alpacas...The Huggable Investment

By Anthony J. Stachowski, DVM

Alpacas are still fairly new and uncommon in North America. They are gentle, friendly and in increasing demand for their luxurious fiber. Garments made from alpaca fiber are known throughout the world for being soft, warm and durable, light weight and lustrous. With their lovable dispositions and manageable size, alpacas also make wonderful companion animals. They are easily trained and are gentle enough to be handled by children.

The alpaca is a domesticated member of the camelid family, and a cousin of the llama. Alpacas have large, expressive eyes, a short triangular muzzle, a sheep-dog mop of hair over the brow, and abundant fine fiber. Alpacas come in a broad spectrum of colors, more than any other livestock. They grow to weigh about 150 pounds and can live 25 years or more. A female alpaca bears only one offspring a year after an 11-month gestation period. (The offspring is called a cria.)

Alpacas and llamas have been domesticated for approximately 5,000 years. They played an integral part in the Inca civilization which dwelled on the high Andean plateau and mountains of South America. The alpaca's cashmere-like fleece was used to produce clothing for Inca royalty; while the larger llama was used to transport cargo on steep Andean trails. When Spanish conquistadors invaded Peru and Chile, killing Indians and their animals alike, the alpaca sought refuge in the high elevations. They developed the ability to live on low protein vegetation and only the strongest survived. The result is today's alpaca, a very hardy and adaptable animal.

Currently there are about 1.5 million alpacas in South America with the heaviest concentration in the Altiplano, or high altitude regions of southern Peru, Bolivia and Chile. Except for zoos, alpacas were not imported into the U.S. until 1984. Now it is estimated there are approximately 11,000 alpacas in North America.

There are two types or breeds of alpaca: the Huacaya (left) and the Suri (below). The Huacaya's fleece has a wavy quality, or crimp, that enhances its use in spinning. The Suri, only recently imported into the United States, has a lustrous fine fiber that has no crimp, but grows in very defined pencil-like locks. The Huacaya constitutes approx. 80% of the world's population of alpaca, while the Suris comprise only about 20%.

Alpaca management is relatively uncomplicated. They require no special fences or barns. Fences should be designed more to keep predators out rather than to keep alpacas in. Alpacas prefer grazing in an open pasture as opposed to confinement in a barn or stall. Occasional grooming, trimming of toenails and teeth, annual or biannual shearing, and regular worming and vaccinations are advised.

Alpacas are ruminants and need no special diet. They are grazers and browsers with highly efficient digestive systems. They do very well on low protein, good quality forage and hay. Many breeders supplement their alpaca's diet with a pelleted "ration balancer", which supplies the necessary vitamins and trace minerals for bone development and healthy cria. An alpaca costs far less to feed than most traditional domestic animals.

Because of their small size and easy care, alpacas are ideal animals to raise on small acreage. Six to eight alpacas may be stocked comfortably on a single acre. If there is a problem to be faced in caring for alpacas, it is in keeping them cool during the summer months. Hot, sunny days can be very dangerous for an animal with such a heavy fleece that does not naturally shed. Breeders rely on fans, readily available water and regular shearing to help their alpacas tolerate the heat.

Alpacas can be sheared with regular sheep-shearing equipment. Electric shears may be used, but some breeders prefer hand shearing because of the density of the fiber. An annual yield of fiber is approximately six pounds from a female and more than ten pounds from a male. The first clipping from a young alpaca is very valuable, as it is very fine and has a lustrous feel. Alpaca fiber can be made into garments of beautiful colors and shades. It is easily dyed and may be blended with other natural fibers including sheep's wool, mohair, angora, silk and llama.

Alpacas are intelligent animals and are amazingly alert. They quickly learn to halter and lead. They communicate with each other through body posture, tail and ear movements and a variety of sounds. The sound alpacas produce most often is a soft humming.

Recently, new genetics from the Altiplano of southern Peru were introduced into the United States. Huacaya and Suri "Peruvian" alpacas have been selected from well-respected and successful cooperatives where genetic selection is highly influenced by the end use; in this case supplying the high-fashion industries of Europe and Japan. Because their fleece exhibits remarkable fineness, excellent crimp and uniform density, these alpacas are a welcome addition to our established breeding herd. Their cria have been winners in the show ring and in investors' portfolios. Returns of up to 70% are enjoyed by many breeders, making alpacas the "World's Finest Livestock Investment."

Future controlled importation of quality alpacas will further broaden the genetic diversity in this country. Our goals of developing a national herd with superior conformation and fleece production will enable the United States to create and supply its own specialty alpaca fiber market.

The future for alpacas looks bright thanks to breeder enthusiasm for this very special partner of the Incas, the "Alpaca".

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