Huacaya
Alpaca
Suri Alpaca
Alpacas
make great pets. They can also be used to protect flocks of sheep,
poultry, etc.
There are two types of Alpacas - Huacaya and Suri
(shown above). Huacaya are the most common in Australia, but Suri
numbers are slowly increasing.
Alpacas belong to the Camelid family, which includes camels and
llamas. They are native to South America, and in particular Peru, Bolivia
and Chile. In fact 99% of the world's population of around 3 million
alpacas, is located in these 3 countries.
They do not require crutching, don't get foot-rot, and graze just like
sheep. Their fleece is hollow, so it's light but warm, and they are
normally shorn once a year. Alpacas come in many colours - more than
any other fleece-producing animal. Alpaca fleece comes in varying shades
of colour from White to Black. In between there are shades of Fawn, Brown
and Grey as well as Rose Grey. Animals may be solid in colour or be any
combination of the above.
They are induced-ovulators (meaning they ovulate when mated). They
can be mated two weeks after their Cria (infant alpaca) is born. Gestation
is 11.5 months. The lifespan of an alpaca is 15- 20 years.
Some of our alpacas:
