 Alpaca
Learning Center
What is an Alpaca?
Alpacas are camelids, cousins to camels, llamas, guanacos, and vicunas.
Alpacas are native of the Andes mountain range of South America, with
the first being imported to the United States in 1983. The alpaca is
an adorable, friendly, intelligent, low maintenance animal. They are
about 1/3 size of the llama, weighing in around 100 - 175 pounds, making
them easy to handle and care for. The gestation for an alpaca is about
11 months (335 days), with a life span of roughly 15 - 25 years. The
fleece of an alpaca is a true luxury fiber, being soft enough for baby
products and warmer than any other wool available.
What is a Suri?
The rare suri possesses a very unique, rope-like twisted lock structure.
These locks made up of groups of straight fibers hang parallel to the
body sides and neck, falling from the middle of the back. If not shorn
the fiber may reach all the way to the ground. A quality suri will have
curled, twisted, and straight locks dripping with luster.
What is a Huacaya?
The huacaya is the predominant alpaca coat type. It is a more compact,
spongy or fluffy fiber type. A quality huacaya will be very dense with
a soft fleece that is crimped to the skin. A true pleasure to touch. |
Suri: Fiber
Suri: Grayfiti
Huacaya: Lee Roy
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