About Alpacas
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About Alpacas |
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Alpacas are from the family Camelidae, the same family as llamas, camels, vicuñas, and guanacos. Alpacas have been domesticated in South America for over 5,000 years, but have only been in the U.S. since 1983. They are mainly found in Peru, Bolivia, and Chile. Alpacas imported into the United States go through a screening process to ensure their health and good conformation. In South America alpacas are used for meat and fiber, while in the United States, Australia, and Europe they are raised as breeding animals, fiber animals, and pets. There
are two different types of alpacas, huacaya (pronounced "wa-kie-ya"),
and suri. The fleece of the huacaya alpaca grows straight out from
the body whereas the fleece of the suri alpaca hangs downward from the
body. |
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Alpacas chew their cud like cattle and sheep, however, they are modified ruminants rather than true ruminants. Here in the U.S. they subsist on quality grass hay or pasture and mineral supplements as needed. Of course, uninterrupted access to clean water is a requirement at all times. Check out our Alpaca Care section for more information. | |||||||||||||||||||
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to other types of animals, alpacas are relatively easy to care for as long
as their basic needs of food, water, shelter, protection from predators,
and health maintenance are taken care of. They are a pleasure to observe,
a mixture of grace and often comical behavior, and even more fun to interact
with as you walk amongst them and discern each alpacas unique personality.
Probably the most challenging part of raising alpacas is stepping foot off
the ranch as you become addicted to the goings-on out there in the alpaca
barn, as well as the bittersweet farewell when an alpaca moves on to another
ranch.
Alpacas are curious, intelligent, animals which are hard to compare to other domestic animals, livestock or pets, because they act like, well, alpacas. They've been around for a long time, just not in North America until relatively recently, so we have to remember alpacas act like alpacas and it is our job, and our joy, to discover and learn from them. |
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Info@FineFleeceAlpacas.com
Fine Fleece Alpacas
(208) 255-7312
Sandpoint, Idaho 83864
