Alpaca’s vw1iyU

History Only domesticated camelid of south America Developed around 7000 years ago Worshiped by ancient Inca civilizations Bred for fiber production Inca’s civilization was based on Alpaca’s fiber (clothes, roofs, bridges) Provided food, fuel, and transportations

History Spanish conquistadors killed the Incan people and with them the “humming sheep” that they cherished. The surviving Incans fled with some of their alpaca’s into the high Ande’s mountains. Sir Titus Salt of London discovered the “remarkable fiber of this musical camelid”

History 1983 Alpaca’s became more known in US Today over 3 million alpacas exist in the world 98% are still located in Peru, Bolivia, and Chile US herds are estimated at 17,000

Types of Alpacas: Huacaya (wa-ki-a):  The “teddy bear” alpaca, whose full coat presents a round and wooly appearance.  Fleece is crimped, very dense, and covers all 22 colors  Account for about 90% of all alpacas

Types of Alpacas Suri (sir-e)  Alpaca with dreadlocks  Full coat, non-crimped lustrous “pencils” hang downward, creating a layered and majestic appearance.  Very rare,

Alpaca Fact’s Size:  A mature alpaca weighs lbs and is inches tall at the withers.  Crias (babies) weight lbs at birth Lifespan  years, few live to30 years

Alpaca Facts Reproductive Lifespan  years, 3-17 years for females  years, 4-16 years for males Gestation Period  11 months, (335 days)  healthy females can reproduce every year, one cria  multiple births are extremely rare

Alpaca Behavior Herd Animals Make easy to keep together Social Easy to care for: like people

Alpaca Fibers Colors  more than 22 natural shades  range from black to white Growth Rate of coat each year  5-10 inches Weight of fleece  mature individual each year 1-8 pounds

Fleece Specialty fiber  Almost indestructible  Extremely healthy and comfortable to wear hypoallergenic and soft on skin)  Different colors  Can pay for the maintenance of an animal

Care and Diet Developed to withstand the harsh cold of the high mountains Only need a 3 sided shelter Need shade and airflow in summer 5-10 animals per acre of usable land

Care… Fencing: don’t challenge fences, but necessary to keep predators out. Need regular worming, feet trimmed 1x/ 6 months, and annual vaccinations

Diet Need good pasture Low protein hay when needed Small amount of grain (selenium and vitamins)