A Few Basic Facts

• Alpacas are members of the camelid (or camel) family. They are mild-tempered, gregarious animals with an inquisitive nature and a penchant for bringing great delight to their owners.

• There are two different breed-types: the huacaya (wah-KI'-ya) and suri ("surrey"). Although both types of alpacas are physiologically nearly identical, one main physical difference is clearly identifiable: the fleece. Huacaya fleece has a degree of "waviness," or "crimp," thus giving hyacayas a fluggy, "Teddy Bear-like" appearance. Suris, on the other hand, have no crimp in their fleeces, so their fiber clings to itself, forming beautiful "pencil locks" that hang down from the body in gentle, silky cascades.

• Indigenous to South America, the alpaca is raised for its soft fleece. This fleece is sheared once a year, yielding roughly five to ten pounds (=2 1/4 to 4 1/2 kilos). After only minimal preparation, it is ready to be spun into yarn (for knitting, crocheting, and weaving) or used to make felt (for creating hats, cloth, or moccasins).

• Alpacas stand approximately 36 inches (1 metre) tall at the withers (the area where the neck and spine come together) and weigh between 100 and 200 pounds (45 to 90 kilos).

• They require only modest amounts of food (approximately 1 1/2 to 2% of their body weight in hay per day), plus free access to fresh water and free-choice minerals. Some owners also supplement their animals' diets with additional grains and crumbles, based on specific nutritional needs and preferences.