Alpaca

The alpaca is a domesticated member of the camelid family, the same group that includes llamas, guanacos and vicuñas. It originated in the high Andes and has been bred for thousands of years for its fine fleece rather than as a pack animal. Adults typically stand around 0.8 to 1 metre at the shoulder and weigh between 50 and 84 kg, which makes the alpaca considerably smaller than its relative the llama.

Alpacas are kept primarily for fibre, though many owners also keep them as pasture companions and small-farm livestock. They are herd animals and do not thrive alone, so they are almost always kept in groups of two or more. Their temperament is generally calm and curious, and they rarely bite. Most communication happens through soft humming and body posture rather than aggression.

As a category of animal, the alpaca suits a rural or semi-rural setting with grazing land, secure fencing and shelter from heat and wet. It is a livestock species rather than a house pet, and local bylaws or agricultural regulations often apply to keeping one.

Who the alpaca suits

An alpaca suits someone who has land, can keep more than one animal, and is prepared for annual shearing and routine livestock care. It is a poor fit for apartment or indoor living, for keepers who want a solitary pet, or for anyone without adequate grazing land and shelter.

The alpaca has just two breeds, both defined by the structure of their fleece rather than by size or build. The two are similar in body shape and temperament, so the choice between them usually comes down to the kind of fibre an owner wants to produce. The Huacaya is by far the more common of the two worldwide.

How the breeds are grouped

Both breeds belong to the same species and can interbreed. They are grouped solely by fleece characteristics. Huacaya fleece is springy and elastic, while Suri fibre is smooth and lustrous. Within each breed, animals are commonly described by fleece colour, which ranges across natural shades from white through fawn and brown to grey and black.

The alpaca is one of the oldest domesticated animals of the Americas. Domestication took place in the high Andes of present-day Peru and surrounding regions, where archaeological evidence points to herding of camelids several thousand years ago. Genetic studies indicate the alpaca descends mainly from the wild vicuña, which is reflected in its scientific name, Vicugna pacos.

Unlike the larger llama, which was developed primarily as a pack animal, the alpaca was selected for the quality of its fibre. In the Andean cultures of the pre-Columbian period, alpaca fleece was a valued material, and the animals were managed in large herds across high-altitude grasslands.

The arrival of Europeans in the sixteenth century disrupted Andean herding, and alpaca numbers fell sharply during that period. The species nonetheless survived in the higher mountain zones where it was best adapted, and herding traditions continued among Andean communities.

From the late twentieth century, alpacas were exported and established in countries outside South America, including Canada, Australia and parts of Europe, where they are kept for fibre and as small-farm livestock. Peru remains the country with the largest alpaca population.

The alpaca has a compact body, a long upright neck, a small head with large eyes, and prominent upright ears. The legs are slender and end in soft, two-toed feet with padded soles rather than hooves. The body is covered in fleece that grows continuously and is removed by annual shearing. Compared with the llama, the alpaca is smaller, has a more rounded face and shorter ears, and lacks the llama's longer banana-shaped ears.

How appearance varies between breeds

The main visible difference between the two breeds is fleece structure. The Huacaya has crimped, dense fibre that stands out from the body and gives a fluffy, teddy-bear look. The Suri has long fibre that hangs in separate locks and gives a sleeker, draped appearance. Body size and conformation are broadly similar across both breeds.

Alpacas are prey animals with a strong herd instinct, and their behaviour reflects a need for safety in numbers. A lone alpaca tends to become stressed, so they are kept in groups. Within a herd they establish a loose social order and spend much of the day grazing together. They are alert to threats and will give an alarm call if they sense danger.

Alpacas communicate through a range of soft sounds, the most common being a gentle hum, along with body language such as ear position and neck posture. They are usually quiet animals. Spitting is part of their natural repertoire, used mainly to settle disputes over food or rank within the herd, and is more often directed at other alpacas than at people.

Most alpacas are wary of being touched at first and prefer not to be grabbed or restrained. With calm, regular handling they become accustomed to human presence. They are not aggressive by nature and rarely bite, since they lack upper front teeth.

Daily care

• Provide access to clean pasture or good-quality hay
• Check fresh water is available at all times
• Observe each animal for normal posture, appetite and droppings
• Keep at least two alpacas together for herd security

Environment

• Secure fencing to keep alpacas in and predators out
• A three-sided shelter or barn for shade and protection from rain and wind
• Well-drained ground to reduce foot and parasite problems
• Shade and ventilation in hot weather, as alpacas tolerate cold better than heat

Grooming and handling

Alpacas are shorn once a year, usually in spring, to harvest fleece and prevent heat stress. Toenails need periodic trimming, and teeth should be checked since the lower incisors keep growing. Handle alpacas calmly and avoid sudden restraint, working from the side rather than the front.

Alpacas are forage eaters with a three-compartment stomach that ferments plant material efficiently. The bulk of the diet is pasture grass in the growing season and hay when grazing is poor or unavailable. They eat relatively little compared with larger livestock of similar weight, and they tend to graze gently without pulling plants out by the roots. Overfeeding rich or high-energy feed can cause obesity and health problems, so concentrates are given sparingly if at all.

Treats should be limited and never replace forage. In many regions pasture and hay do not supply enough minerals, so a mineral supplement suited to camelids may be needed. Clean, fresh water must be available at all times, and intake rises in hot weather and during nursing.

With good husbandry alpacas are robust animals, and a typical lifespan is around 15 to 20 years. Because they are prey animals, they tend to hide illness, so subtle changes in posture, appetite or droppings are often the first sign that something is wrong. Many common problems relate to parasites, teeth, feet and heat.

Preventive care

• Routine parasite control and pasture management
• Annual shearing to prevent heat stress
• Regular checks of teeth, toenails and body condition
• Vaccinations as advised for the region
• Quarantine of new animals before adding them to the herd

Alpacas usually reach breeding maturity at about one to two years of age, with females often bred from around 12 to 18 months once they have reached suitable size, and males maturing somewhat later. Females are induced ovulators, meaning ovulation is triggered by mating rather than by a regular cycle, so breeding can occur across much of the year. Mating takes place with the female sitting in a position known as cush.

Gestation is long, lasting roughly 11 to 12 months, and almost always produces a single offspring, called a cria. Twins are very rare. Births commonly occur during daylight hours. The cria is usually up and nursing within a few hours of birth, and weaning takes place gradually over several months.

Is an alpaca right for you?

Alpacas need pasture, secure fencing and shelter, and they must be kept in groups, so you should plan to take on at least two animals. They live around 15 to 20 years, making them a commitment comparable to other livestock. Ongoing costs include feed and hay, annual shearing, parasite control, veterinary care and fencing maintenance. They are not suited to indoor or urban living, and keeping them may be subject to local bylaws or provincial agricultural regulations.

Where to get one

Alpacas are usually sourced from established breeders or small farms, and they are sometimes available through rescue or rehoming programmes where animals need new homes. Buy from a source that keeps healthy, well-handled animals, allows you to see the herd, and can advise on care. Because alpacas need company, plan to acquire more than one at the same time.