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What is an alpaca?
Hopefully, after completing the research to reach this point,
there is an understanding that an alpaca is not one of those
things with big wings. Seriously, there are many misconceptions
concerning this animal and not the least of which is the confusion
between several recent livestock ventures and alpacas.
To start, alpacas are indigenous to the Andes Mountain areas
of Bolivia, Peru and Chile in South America. They are members
of the American Camelid family, including the related species
of llama, vicuna and guanacos, all found in South America.
American camelids are also related to the camels found in
the Mid East and Central Asian areas including the bactrian
and the dromedary camel. The bactrian camel, which is the
double humped camel, was declared critically endangered in
2002. Alpacas have been a viable species and utilized by man
for over 5000 years as a source of rich fiber and other products.
For centuries the ancestors of the Inca measured their wealth
by the number of alpacas they owned and enjoyed wonderful
garments woven from the fleece of their large herds.
In general terms, a mature alpaca will weigh between 110
to 170 pounds and stand 34 to 38 inches measured from the
top of the front shoulders or withers. Lifespan is expected
to be between 15 to 25 years, with exceptional cases of 30
years. More importantly the reproductive lifespan of a female
is approximately 15+ years, starting with sexual maturity
at 18 months to 2 years of age. The reproductive life of males
(herdsires) starts with reaching sexual maturity between 2
and 3 years of age and continuing as an active breeder for
10 years or longer. In older males, the desirable traits found
in the fleece are not has evident as in younger animals but
the ability to produce quality offspring continues to exist.
Gestation requires approximately 11 months with some variation
depending on the animal's age and the environment. A female
will produce one offspring (cria) per year, normally with
a birth weight of 10 to 20 pounds. Multiple births are very
rare.
There are two primary types of alpaca, huacaya and suri alpacas.
The major distinction between the two groups is the structure
of the fleece. The huacaya is the majority group in the aggregate
alpaca population and has fleece resembling a "teddy
bear"—a very dense, compact fiber. The suri animals
have significant density also, with the fiber collecting in
curly long bundles, which hang from the animal as a rich fabric
curtain.
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The first alpacas arrived in the United States in 1984,
but these first animals were not of the quality we enjoy
today. The first importation beginning in 1993 and the
five subsequent imports in succeeding years and in 1998,
were the true genesis of the United States herds today
due to the closing of the alpaca registry in 1998. By
closing the registry, the import of alpacas was effectively
eliminated. In September 2006, the Alpaca Registry Institute
(ARI) registered the 100,000th alpaca in North America.
While this number is very small compared to herds in
South America, we are breeding and raising quality animals.
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