Alpacas are hardy, adapt well to most climates and live between fifteen to twenty years.  Like all camelids they are herd animals and prefer not to be kept alone.  They will live happily with other animals and are used in Australia as guard animals for flocks of sheep.  Alpacas are intelligent with good memories and can be halter trained with kindness and understanding.
  

An alpaca produces a superb, heavy fleece which will grow down to the ground if not clipped.  The fleece weighs up to 4 kg when shorn each year in spring.  The fibre is stronger than silk and valued for its warmth and durability as well as for its texture.  22 natural shades are recognised from jet black through the browns and fawns to white.
 
Alpacas are induced ovulators and as such can be mated at any time although spring or summer is the best time for the baby or ‘cria’ to be born.  On average gestation is eleven and a half months with one baby being born, usually in daylight hours.  Twin pregnancies are extremely rare.  The cria is weaned from its mother at 6 to 8 months of age.