Alpacas
COMMON NAME: Alpacas
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Vicugna pacos
TYPE: Mammal
GROUP NAME: Herd
YOUNG NAME: Cria
DIET: herbivores. grasses, cushion plants, weeds, woody shrubs
AVERAGE LIFE SPAN IN THE WILD: 15 to 20 years
AVERAGE LIFE SPAN IN CAPTIVITY: 20+ years
HEIGHT: 32 to 39 inches at shoulders
WEIGHT: 106 to 198 pounds
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1. Alpacas have a rich history that stretches back thousands of years, over 6,000 to be exact!
2. They are believed to be descendants of the wild vicuña, a South American camelid.
3. Alpacas were domesticated by the indigenous people of the Andes Mountains in Peru, Bolivia, and Chile, who valued them for their luxurious fiber. The Incans, in fact, valued Alpaca fiber over gold!
4. Alpacas have gentle and curious personalities, often captivating those who spend time with them. They are generally docile and can be easily trained. Many alpaca owners find them to be delightful companions, showcasing their playful and affectionate nature. They even make great therapy animals.
5. High Quality Wool: One of the most renowned aspects of alpacas is their exquisite fleece. Alpaca fiber is incredibly soft and lightweight, flame and water resistant, and because their fur contains no lanolin, it is hypoallergenic!
6. Alpaca wool comes in 22 colors ranging from black and white, to silver and beige. This natural diversity eliminates the need for artificial dyes when their wool is made into thread and creates a stunning range of hues.
7. Alpacas are highly social animals and thrive in herds. They have a cooperative community structure.
8. Alpacas and use humming, body language, and various vocalizations to communicate with one another. Alpacas often form strong bonds with their herd members, displaying gentle and protective behavior towards their young.
9. Alpacas thrive in the harsh Andean climate, alpacas have developed remarkable adaptations. Their dense fleece acts as insulation, keeping them warm in freezing temperatures and cool in hot weather.
10. They also have a unique immune system that helps them resist certain diseases commonly found in other animals.
11. Alpacas are gentle on the environment and have a minimal impact on their grazing areas. They have padded feet instead of hooves, which helps prevent soil erosion.
12. When a male alpaca and female alpaca breed, their offspring are known as mistis. These mini-llamas tend to be much smaller than llamas, but have longer fleece, coarse, and crimped fleece.
13. Alpacas are part of the camelid family, being related to camels, guanacos, llamas, and vicuñas. They are also known as lamoids, which differ from camels as they do not have humps.