Alpaca Facts
Alpacas are members of the camelid family and originate mostly from South America (Chile and Peru).
Prized for their beautiful fleeces these amazing animals come in 22 different shades.
There are two types of alpaca: Huacaya (the most common) and Suri (tend to have more of a dreadlock, silky type of fleece). Huacaya are sheared once a year, usually in late spring, early summer and Suri every other year.
Alpacas usually give birth to one baby(cria) after an eleven-eleven and a half month gestation. Cria are usually born in the first part of the day.
Alpaca are herd animals and should be kept in a group of at least three. They are totally addictive and tend to take over your life!
Often they are used as guard animals for other livestock such as chickens or baby lambs and will see off foxes. Not only is their fleece prized but their poo is sought after by gardeners as manure.