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INTRODUCTION:
The alpaca is one of four members of the camelid species of South America. The other three are the llama, which is also domesticated, the vicuna and the guanaco, which exist only in the wild. All of these animals are browsers and grazers and, being ruminants, chew their cud. They have even-toed padded feet and lie down in a unique style that is called kushing. The alpaca is the smallest of the domesticated South American camelids. It is well known for
its abundant, fine fiber and its gentle nature.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND: The South American camelids date back two million years. Some people think that
the alpaca is a descendent of the vicuna with its domestication starting back
some six thousand years ago. Alpaca breeding and husbandry flourished well in
the 11th and 12th centuries A.D. within the Inca Empire. The Inca civilization
of the Andes Mountains of Peru elevated the alpaca to a central place in its
society. Alpacas were the most valuable domesticated animal at this time.
They were providers of fine fiber and were also a meat source. Many of the
Inca Indians' religious ceremonies involved the alpaca. Because of the Spanish
Conquest in the 16th century, other domestic animals from Europe slowly
replaced the alpaca. The Spanish Conquistadors did not see the value of alpaca
fiber. They preferred the merino sheep of their native Spain. Alpaca numbers
dropped and husbandry practices deteriorated. Finally, in the 1920's, there
was a rebirth of the appreciation of the alpaca fiber.
By the 1980's the production of alpaca fiber had risen. It is now a strategic
economic resource in Peru. The center of the alpaca textile industry is in
Arequipa, Peru.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS: Alpacas are one-third to one-half the size of a llama. The alpaca is compact in size, has abundant lustrous fiber, a long neck, and very expressive eyes. The alpaca's tail is low set and short. Their soft, padded feet leave the terrain undamaged as they browse on grass. Alpacas lack upper front teeth and enamel is absent from the insides of their lower incisor. The alpaca is a ruminant with a three-compartment stomach.
BEHAVIOR CHARACTERISTICS: The lifespan of an alpaca is 15 to 25 years. Its height is 36" at the withers and it weighs 100 to 175 pounds. The alpaca comes in a variety of colors. Twenty-two natural colors are recognized by the alpaca fiber industry. Differently colored fibers can be blended to produce an infinite array of natural colors.
There are two types of alpacas. The Huacaya has a fleece that has crimp, or wavy characteristics, that enhances its use in spinning. It is the dense, crimpy character of this fleece that gives the huacaya alpaca a "teddy bear" look. In contrast, the Suri has a lustrous fiber with no crimp. This fiber is arranged in locks.
Alpaca fiber is prized for its softness, uniform fineness, and strength. It is said to be three times stronger than sheep's wool. The best fiber is the blanket. It is found on the alpaca's sides and loin.
Alpacas are very herd-oriented. They do better if they have company of their
own kind. Within the herd, there is a hierarchy of dominant and less assertive
animals.
The gentle character of alpacas makes them easy to handle. Alpacas must become accustomed to human touch. Touching the cria, especially the legs, during the first few weeks after birth creates a very gentle animal. Most can easily be trained to halter and to the acceptance of people.
Alpacas communicate in a variety of ways, mostly with quiet noises, body
postures and an occasional spitting when challenged or frightened. Their
most common sound is a soft, peaceful humming. There is also a distress
signal when there is danger or a predator near. Some mothers make a clucking
sound to their newborn babies. They also communicate through movement of
their ears, neck and tail. These movements are often used to maintain the
pecking order of the herd. Young alpacas are always curious. They communicate
by sniffing and touching other animals.
BREEDING ALPACAS: Female alpacas can start breeding between 12 and 24 months of age. They should have reached at least 75% of their adult body weight. Sexually mature females are induced ovulators and do not exhibit estrus cycles. If the female alpaca is not pregnant, she is constantly "open" or "receptive" to breeding. Male alpacas mature typically at 2 1/2 to 3 years of age.
The average gestation period is 335 days or usually 11 to 11 1/2 months. A baby is called a cria and normally weighs from 10 to 23 pounds. The cria is ready for weaning between 5 and 6 months of age.
Cria Alpaca | Suri Alpaca | Alpaca Sales | Alpaca Fine Fibers
Charlie & Theresa Birkemeier
12787 Road 11, Ottawa, Ohio 45875
Phone: (419) 538-6567 * FAX: (419) 538-7221
Email Us: criabarn@bright.net