ABOUT ALPACAS

Alpacas originated in South America some 7000 years ago where they were bred by the Incas in Peru for their luxurious fibre. During the Spanish Conquistadors invasion of South America alpacas were slaughtered to enable sheep farming to be introduced. There are now around 3.5 million alpacas in Andean Altiplano region of Peru, Chile and Bolivia. Alpacas have since been introduced to North America, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. They are probably the world’s oldest domestic livestock.
An average alpaca stands 34"-36" at the withers (shoulders) and weighs 125-175 pounds on average. An adult alpaca will generally produce 5-8 pounds of high-quality fibre each year. An alpaca has a life expectancy of 20-25 years. Females reach breeding capability
by 16-24 months. Males usually don't reach sexual potency until 24 months or more. The gestation period is 11-1/2 months (around 350 days). Females will breed throughout their life.  

ALPACA FIBRE

The hair of the alpaca is called 'fleece' or 'fibre' rather than 'fur' or 'wool.' Alpaca fleece has 22 natural shades ranging from black to silver and rose gray and white, from mahogany brown to light fawn and champagne. Alpacas can be bred for specific colour.

There are two types of alpacas and they are classified according to their fibre type:  

• Huacaya ('wah-Ka-yah') — dense, crimped, wooly, water-resistant fleece.
   
• Suri ('SUR-ree') — very fine and lustrous fibre which grows parallel to the body in long,
  separate locks.

Alpaca fibre is most like human hair in its cellular composition as it has a core made up of air-filled cells that contributes significantly to its insulating properties and its strength. The number of individual fibers is considerably less than sheep's wool.

Alpaca fibre is

- softer than cashmere or angora
- hypoallerginic.
- warmer and lighter weight than wool (without the prickle-factor that some wool has)

THE FINEST FIBRE IN THE WORLD

The British Wool Marketing Board uses several tables, Including the Bradford Count, to determine wool quality.
These tables include fineness, staple length, presence of outer hair, luster, vulnerability to chemical damage.
The diameter of the fibre is usually measured in micron i.e (1 micron = 1/1000 millimeter).

The Information below is from the British Wool Marketing Board and other sources.

Species Average fibre diameter (microns)

Vicuña 10 to 12
Angora 11 to 15
Merino Wool 12 to 22
Cashmere 15 to 19
Alpaca 16 to 30
Guanaco 18 to 24
Camel 18 to 26
Llama 20 to 40
Mohair 24 to 40

                Alpaca fibre production and commercial usage in the United Kingdom is still quite small at present. The clip is around 6 tonnes.

Alpaca fibre comes in a whole array of natural colours. Alpaca fibre also dyes very well and particularly takes colour from plant and other natural dyes.                

ALPACA FIBRE COLOUR CODE 

ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY

Alpacas, llamas, guanacos and vicunas are part of the camel (camelid) family tree. The simalirities with camels are evident when you see their unusual running style and their “cush” sitting position and lowe amount of water they consume. The 160 lb average alpaca eats less per pound and their efficient 3-stomach digestive system metabolizes grass and hay more efficiently than nearly all other livestock. Camelids are a modified ruminant that can eating less grass than most other animals and also convert it to energy efficiently. Unlike the true ruminant they have three compartments to their stomach hence camelids can survive in an environment that would otherwise be unsuitable for other domesticated animals.

Alpacas leave the terrain undamaged unlike horses that have hard hooves. As they graze they only eat the top of the pasture grass rather than uprooting it.