Alpacas are found indigenously only in South America, mostly in Peru, Chile and Bolivia, but there are now breeding herds in countries as far widespread as Australia, England, Canada and the United States. Alpacas are camelids, related to the camels of Africa and Asia, and also to their nearer cousin the South American llama, being themselves generally softer and smaller. There are two types: Huacaya and Suri. Huacaya alpacas have a sheep-like fleece, whereas suris carry long silky hair. Ninety-five (95%) percent of alpacas are huacaya.
The ancient Peruvians domesticated their llamas as beasts of burden but they kept their alpacas for the soft fleece which for centuries was reserved for royalty. After the Spanish invasion of South America the alpaca went into decline but its fleece became fashionable once more in the nineteenth century. This revival is largely credited to the English industrialist and social reformer Titus Salt who took a risk in buying a consignment of unwanted wool at the port of Liverpool, and experimented in his Bradford textile mills until he found a way of weaving the fibre into a fabric which became recognised as the ultimate in luxurious softness.
Alpacas are mostly pleasant-natured, and easy to train, which makes them good to have around. Alpacas are safe animals, making wonderful pets in addition to producing fine and valuable fleece. They sometimes get a reputation for spitting but this is mostly reserved for other alpacas, not for humans. Alpacas rarely spit at people unless frightened or abused. Most alpacas will readily accept being stroked or petted.
In their pasture areas alpacas cause very little disturbance to the earth and eat mainly the tops off the grass. They adapt to widely varied habitats from sea level to from 15,000 feet. Alpacas can generally be kept at between 5 and 10 per acre. They don't require highly specialised shelter or care and have a good life span of from 15 to 20 years. They are sheared once a year for their fleeces. They are beautiful animals, coming in a great variety of colours, 22 in all. They can provide a satisfying addition to an investment portfolio, and if you keep them yourself can also contribute to a healthy lifestyle.
| David Murray is joint-owner of BrunleaBooks.com and in recent years has developed an interest in the alpaca, having first come across them in any major way at the local agricultural show near where he lives in Newark, England, which also hosts a major annual alpaca show. He is currently building a web site about alpacas and alpaca products at: fine-alpaca.co.uk |
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