Indian Summer Alpacas: Alpaca Information and Lifestyle

Since ancient times, the South American Andes Mountains have been the ancestral home to the prized alpaca. Their fleece was cherished by members of the Incan civilization (referred to as "The Fiber of the Gods"), and their graceful herds of alpaca roamed the lush foothills and mountainous pastures. In the 17th century, Spanish conquistadors killed a large part of both the Incan and alpaca populations, forcing the retreating survivors to seek refuge in the high mountain plains known as the Altiplano. The high altitude and harsh landscape ensured only the hardiest of these creatures survived, and these ancestors of today's best bloodlines have provided a gene pool producing hardy, agile animals with dense, high quality fiber. In 1984, a small group of importers brought the first of a carefully selected herd of highest quality alpacas into the United States and Canada, and they immediately became a beloved part of the North American landscape.

Peru, Bolivia, and Chile are still home to the largest percentage of alpacas in the world, and alpaca breeders in the United States have learned much from their southern neighbors. Along with llamas, guanacos and vicunas, alpacas belong to the Camelid family. Like cows alpacas are ruminants with a three-part stomach. They are grazers and browsers, eating grass and hay. Supplements of oats, soy meal and alpaca pellets are also fed through out the year. Suppliants are a small portion of the alpacas total diet. Alpacas only eat on average about 1 pound of grain each day. Alpacas have soft padded feet, making them gentle on their pastures, and they have no top teeth in the front. The average height of an alpaca is 36" at the withers, and they weigh from 100 to 175 pounds. Alpacas have a life span of roughly 20 years, so you can enjoy your alpaca for a long time. Alpacas are small and gentle enough to travel short distances in the family minivan and are easily handled by most people. I know personally how simple it is for a child to handle these wonderful animals. When our children were 8 & 9 years of age they took breeding males Trick-or-Treating. Yes, they walked them completely by themselves and had a blast doing it! Yes, we were the talk of the town!

An alpaca's gestation period is 11 to 12 months, and they have single births (twins are extremely rare). A baby alpaca, called a cria, usually weighs between 15 and 20 pounds. Alpaca fiber comes in 16-22 colors that are recognized by the textile industry, and there are many blends in addition to that. Alpacas are shorn for their wonderful fleece each year, which will produce 5 to 10 pounds of soft, warm fiber that is turned into the most luxurious garments in the world. When it comes to raising alpacas, there is something for everyone.

There are two different alpacas types, the suri and the Huacaya. The suri has fiber that grows quite long and forms silky, pencil-like Dread locks for lack of a better explanation. The Huacaya has a shorter, dense, crimpy fleece, giving it a very woolly appearance. Some say the Huacaya resembles a stuffed animal in most cases.

Raising alpacas is a lifestyle and investment available to many, from the empty-nester to a family with children to the professional looking for an outlet to daily stress. While the individuals and families who have decided to experience the alpaca adventure are widely diverse in their backgrounds, they share a common love for animals and a desire to leave stress from their lives. Alpacas meet the qualifications for such a lifestyle effortlessly. Families with children will appreciate how alpacas are so gentle and easy to handle, and they may want to become involved in the many family-oriented events around the country. Fairs, auctions, shows, and on-the-farm activities are just some of the events in which to participate.

The highly prized fleece of the alpaca has inspired many to start in-home "cottage industries" which involve shearing the alpacas and spinning the fiber of their own animals into yarn that can be made into high quality apparel while others market the fiber through the support of organized fiber co-ops.

Alpacas require a small amount of acreage compared to other livestock; the average farm is less than 10 acres. They eat pasture grasses and hay. A small three-sided barn or shelter is adequate for a small herd. The size of the herd is up to the individual's personal goals. The fact that alpacas are "easy keepers" makes them an attractive alternative investment. Owners still living in the city or suburbs can board their animals at many established alpaca farms, building their herds with an eye to the future when they can become more hands-on by raising their alpacas themselves.

Alpaca breeders from all walks of life interact with each other by participating in shows and open houses, co-owning animals, and by sharing their acquired expertise. This mutual interest and support has been the start of many lifelong friendships. The pleasure of owning the beautiful and gentle alpaca is a reward in itself. The prospect of enjoying shared family activities with this very huggable animal while reaping the financial rewards of owning and breeding alpacas increases the pleasure many times over.

My husband and I have lived in New England for most of our lives. Our children were born here and this is where we call home. We native New Englanders can appreciate the historic surroundings of our region. New Englanders have long been know as the pioneers for new ideas. I guess it's only natural that New England is again embarking on new ideas. It's in this setting of the traditional "New England" that a rare and delightful animal has come on the scene. New Englanders latest endeavor is the breeding and raising of Alpacas.

The numbers of alpacas in the New England area have experienced rapid growth since 1990. The following numbers speak for themselves. This information was furnished by the Alpaca Registry inc.