Before being imported to the U.S. in 1984, alpacas were a cherished treasure of the ancient Incan civilization and played a central role in the Incan culture that was located on the high Andean Plateau and mountains of South America.  Alpacas are now being successfully raised throughout North America and abroad.  There are two types of alpacas — the Huacaya which has a “fluffy”appearance, and the Suri, whose fiber is more hair like and grows in distinctive locks.  The alpaca lifespan is about 20 years, and gestation is 11.5 months.  Alpacas eat grasses, hay, and chew a cud.  Adult alpacas are very gentle and are about 36″ tall at the withers and generally weigh between 100 and 200 pounds, making them easy to handle.  Alpacas don’t have upper incisors, horns, hooves, or claws.  They have padded feet with toenails that need periodic trimming.  Clean-up is easy since alpacas deposit droppings in communal dung piles in the paddock.  They require fencing protection from predators and can be pastured at 5 to 10 per acre.

Alpacas produce one of the world’s finest and most luxurious natural fibers.  It is clipped from the animal without causing it injury and is soft as cashmere and warmer, lighter and stronger than wool.  Alpaca fiber comes in more colors than any other fiber producing animal (approximately 22 basic colors with many variations and blends).  This cashmere-like fleece, once reserved for Incan royalty, is now enjoyed by spinners and weavers around the world.

Alpaca owners enjoy a strong and active national organization.  The Alpaca Owners and Breeders Association (AOBA) with a growing number of Regional Affiliates and AOBA-sanctioned national committees addressing every aspect of the industry.

The Alpaca Fiber Cooperative of North America and the New England Alpaca Fiber Pool accept fleece from its members and turn the precious textile into quality alpaca garments and products.  Members benefit from a ready outlet for their fiber, while the cooperative works to increase awareness of and demand for this luxury.

The Alpaca Registry has been established to help ensure accurate records and has a state-of the-art system to document bloodlines.  Alpacas must be blood typed in order to be registered.  Most alpacas in the U.S. are registered.

For more information, please contact the Alpaca Owners and Breeders Association (AOBA).