Alpacas
Vicugna pacos
The Camelid Family
Fun Facts:
Alpacas are camelids. Camelids are herbivorous mammals of the Camelidae family: Alpacas, Llamas, Vicunas, Guanacos, and Camels. Their evolutionary history began about forty-five million years ago in North America with the Protylopus Petersoni, only twelve inches (thirty centimeters) in height from which a series of species evolved, and increased in size over time.
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Approximately three million years ago, the Hemiauchenia, a North American camelid similar to the llama, emigrated to South America. Little is known about its evolution because the fossil records are incomplete.
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It is believed the the Hemiauchenia genus gave rise to the Lama and Vicugna genera about a million years later. From these, the four species of South American camelids evolved. Two of these, the llama and the alpaca are domesticated. The other two, the guanaco and the vicuna, are wild.
Differences between Alpaca and Llamas
Alpacas and llamas are cousins, but they aren't exactly alike.
Alpacas
Llamas
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weigh 150 lbs
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have soft, luxurious fleece
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are very gentle and timid
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can learn tricks
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need protection
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weigh over 400 lbs
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have coarse fleece
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are very brave
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can carry heavy packs
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serve as guards
Types of Alpacas
There are two types of Alpacas, Huacaya and Suri; the more common being Huacaya.
The Huacaya
Most people visualize huacayas when they think of alpacas. Huacayas look more like fluffy teddy bears and are the more common of the two types, accounting for about 90% of the world's population of alpaca. Their fiber grows outward from their body, and is crimpy and thick, giving them a “cuddly” appearance. The fiber is quite strong, but fluffy and very soft. It looks a lot like Corriedale and Romney sheep wool but without the lanolin. Huacaya fiber; takes dyes well, produces a soft & lofty yarn, is ideal for knitting or crocheting, and can be commercially processed using the woolen or worsted process. These animals come naturally in a wide array of colors with white, brown, and black being the most common.
The Suri
Suris are the less common of the two types of alpacas. The Alpaca Registry (ARI) showed about 31,000 suri alpacas registered in the United States as of August 2012. The first Suris were imported into the United States from Bolivia in the winter of 1991. Additional Suri imports came in 1993, 1995, 1996 and 1998 from Bolivia, Chile, and Peru. Only about 1% of the total world-wide alpaca population is suris. Draping locks are what characterize these elegant animals. The fiber grows vertically and hangs down their sides. It is straight and has a slick feel with little or no crimp. It has a high degree of sheen- often referred to as luster and looks much like Angora goat fiber. Suri fiber is almost always processed using the worsted process, which results in a thin thread used in weaving. Suri fiber brings a premium price on the world market because of its unique characteristics and its scarcity. Suris look more delicate than huacayas, but they are just as well boned and muscled. Proportions and weights are about the same for both breeds. Historically, most suris were white, but U.S. alpaca breeders have been selectively breeding to produce colored suris and now many colored suri alpacas are available.
Lifespan
Median lifespan is approximately 20yrs
Young
Gestation: 11 to 12 months
Number of young: 1, rarely 2 crias
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Maturity:
Females- between the ages of 1 & 2
Males- between the ages of 2 & 3
Size
Weight: 110 - 190 lbs (adult)
Height: 2.7 - 3.2 ft (adult, at the withers)
