| Alpacas
are part of the camelid family and are related to the other camelids of
South America – the guanaco, the llama and the vicuna. Alpacas are reared for their high quality fleece and have
been highly prized in the Andes of Peru, Chile and Bolivia for thousands
of years. There are two
types of alpacas – Huacayas and and the rarer Suris who have longer
coats that hang in long pencil like locks.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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