Alpacas are one of the world's gentlest creatures.  They are never aggressive, and are not very large.  A mature alpaca weighs between 135 to 185 pounds and has a life span of 15 to 20 years.  Rather than hooves, alpacas have pads on their feet similar to a dog's, with only two toenails.  Alpacas are small and gentle enough to travel short distances in the family minivan are easily handled by most people.  Alpacas spit as part of their communication with each other, but rarely spit at humans.

     Alpacas are native to the Andes Mountains in South America.  Approximately 99% of the world’s alpaca population can still be found in the countries of Chile, Bolivia, and Peru and have been domesticated for about 6,000 years. During the reign of the Incas, high-ranking officials and nobility only wore alpaca fiber.  Their fiber was often referred to as “The fiber of the Gods”.    Alpacas were first imported into the United States in 1984 where they immediately became a beloved part of the North American landscape.  Today, there are fewer than 30,000 in all of North America.   Alpaca fiber continues to be highly priced today, being used mainly in luxury apparel. 

      Alpacas are a member of the camelid family, which also includes some breeds of camel and llamas.  They are a modified ruminant and chew their cud similar to a cow, although they have three stomachs rather than the true ruminant, which has four.  Alpacas selectively graze, eating pasture grasses and hay. 

      There are two types of alpacas: Huacaya and Suri.  Huacaya alpacas are fluffy with curly crimpy fine fiber.  This shorter dense fiber gives the Huacaya a woolly appearance.  The Suri's fiber is silky and spiral and hangs in long locks.  Alpacas produce their abundant and luxurious fiber in twenty-two colors that are recognized by the textile industry.  Alpacas are shorn for their fleece each year, which produces 5 to 10 pounds of soft, warm fiber that is turned into the most luxurious garments in the world.   

     Alpacas are easy to care for and have minimal space requirements, with five to ten fitting nicely upon one acre.  Alpacas are basically healthy animals, with no known diseases.  They are shorn once a year to harvest their fiber, which offers lots of opportunities for owners to try their hands at spinning, weaving, felting, etc.  There is also a national co-op to assist in marketing the fiber, as well as numerous fiber festivals in every region.