General Alpaca Information and History
Alpacas are a South American relative of the Camel. Closer relatives include the domesticated llama, the wild guanaco, and vicuñas. This family of animals originated on the plains of North America about 10 million years ago. A common ancestor to the South American camelids migrated to South America about 2.5 million years ago, while eventually dying out in North America. Alpacas were domesticated 6,000 years ago as a prized possession by the ancient Incas because of the quality of their fleece, which was spun and woven into garments worn mostly by royalty.
In the 17th century, Spanish conquistadors began their exploration and subsequent genocide of the Inca people. Many Incas fled to the Andes Mountains, bringing with them only the most prized alpacas. In the centuries that followed, the alpacas that survived and adapted were a much hardier, healthier alpaca due to the rough and demanding mountain tops. South America, generally in Peru, Bolivia and Chile, began to breed and sell alpacas, and currently hold ~98% of the 3 million alpacas worldwide. While alpaca fleece has always been known as a desirable fiber in South America, the United States and Australia are beginning to "discover" this material. Currently, no more alpacas can be imported into the United States - the Alpaca Registry Inc. (ARI) is now closed, so the only way we can increase the number in the US is by breeding them.
There are approximately 160,000 alpacas within the United States. The alpaca life span is typically 15 to 20 years, with a few living up to 30 years of age. They stand 32-39 inches at the shoulder. At birth they weigh 10-17 pounds. An adult alpaca weights 100-190 pounds. The reproductive lifespan of a herdsire is from 4 to 16 years of age. Prime years are from 5-10 years old. The average growth rate of the coat is 5 to 10 inches per year. The average yearly weight of the shaved adult alpaca coat ranges from 8 to 10 pounds.
There are two types of alpaca, Huacaya (wa-kai-ya) and Suri (sur-ee). Huacaya alpacas look like teddy bears, whose full coat presents a round and soft appearance. The Huacaya fleece is crimped, very dense and covers all 22 colors recognized by AOBA (The Alpaca Owners and Breeders Association). Huacayas account for approximately 90 percent of the alpacas registered in the United States. The Flying Alpacas Ranch raises Huacaya alpacas. Suri alpacas have long dreadlocks. In full coat, these long, non-crimped, lustrous pencils hang downward, creating a layered and majestic appearance. Suris are very rare worldwide, with only about 10,000 registered in the U.S. These small numbers, combined with the extraordinary luster of Suri fiber, make this fleece more sought after and expensive.
The breeders who are members of the Ideal Alpaca Community (IAC) breed with the goal of achieving the highest quality alpacas, in conformation, temperament, and fine, high volume fleece through the use of Studmaster males - progeny tested, impact sires. For more information on this subject, click here.
As you go through our website, there are a few terms and abbreviations we use: Proven (either male or female) meaning has produced viable cria (baby alpacas), Unproven meaning has not yet produced offspring, Maiden meaning a female who has not yet been bred, Dam meaning a breeding female, Herdsire: a main stud, Jr. Herdsire meaning a secondary stud and Gelding, meaning a male who has been neutered and incapable of reproducing - these males are usually used as "fleece boys" or pets, and are often are for 4H projects.
Then there are the following abbreviations relating to color:
WH White LRG Light Rose Gray
BG Beige MRG Medium Rose Gray
LF Light Fawn DRG Dark Rose Gray
MF Medium Fawn LSG Light Silver Gray
DF Dark Fawn MSG Medium Silver Gray
LB Light Brown DSG Dark Silver Gray
MB Medium Brown BB Bay Black
DB Dark Brown TB True Black
BG Beige MRG Medium Rose Gray
LF Light Fawn DRG Dark Rose Gray
MF Medium Fawn LSG Light Silver Gray
DF Dark Fawn MSG Medium Silver Gray
LB Light Brown DSG Dark Silver Gray
MB Medium Brown BB Bay Black
DB Dark Brown TB True Black
