Alpaca

The alpaca is a domesticated member of the camelid family, which also includes the llama, the guanaco and the vicuña. It hails from the high Andes and has been bred over thousands of years chiefly for its fine fleece rather than as a beast of burden. A fully grown alpaca generally stands around 0.8 to 1 metre at the shoulder and weighs between 50 and 84 kg, making it considerably smaller than its cousin, the llama.

Alpacas are reared mainly for fibre, though many keepers also value them as pasture companions and small-farm livestock. Being herd animals, they do not do well on their own and are almost always kept in groups of two or more. Their temperament tends to be calm and inquisitive, and biting is rare. Most of their communication takes the form of a gentle humming sound and body posture rather than any aggressive display.

As a category of livestock, the alpaca is best suited to a rural or semi-rural setting with grazing land, secure fencing and shelter from heat and damp conditions. It is a farm animal rather than a house pet, and local zoning or agricultural regulations often come into play when keeping one.

Who the alpaca suits

An alpaca suits someone who owns land, is willing to keep more than one animal, and is ready for annual shearing and regular livestock care. It is not the right choice for flat or indoor living, for keepers wanting a single solitary pet, or for anyone lacking space for grazing and shelter.

The alpaca has only two breeds, both defined by fleece structure rather than by size or build. The two are broadly alike in body shape and temperament, so the choice between them usually comes down to the sort of fibre an owner wishes to produce. Of the two, the Huacaya is by far the more widely kept across the world.

How the breeds are grouped

Both breeds belong to the same species and are capable of interbreeding. They are grouped purely on fleece characteristics. Huacaya fleece is springy and elastic, whereas Suri fibre is smooth and lustrous. Within each breed, animals are commonly described by fleece colour, which spans natural shades from white through fawn and brown to grey and black.

The alpaca ranks among the oldest domesticated animals of the Americas. Domestication took place in the high Andes of present-day Peru and the surrounding region, where archaeological evidence points to camelid herding several thousand years ago. Genetic studies suggest the alpaca descends mainly from the wild vicuña, a fact reflected in its scientific name, Vicugna pacos.

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

The arrival of Europeans in the sixteenth century disrupted Andean herding practices, and alpaca numbers dropped sharply during this period. Even so, the species survived in the higher mountain zones where it was best suited, and herding traditions carried on among Andean communities.

From the late twentieth century onward, alpacas were exported to and established in countries beyond South America, including Australia, the United States and parts of Europe, where they are kept for fibre and as smallholding livestock. Peru continues to hold the largest alpaca population of any country.

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 through annual shearing. Compared with the llama, the alpaca is smaller, has a rounder face and shorter ears, and lacks the llama's longer, banana-shaped ears.

How appearance varies between the breeds

The main visible difference between the two breeds lies in fleece structure. The Huacaya has crimped, dense fibre that stands away from the body, giving it a fluffy, teddy-bear-like look. The Suri has long fibre that hangs in separate locks, giving it a sleeker, draped appearance. Body size and conformation are otherwise much the same 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, which is why they are always kept in groups. Within a herd they work out a loose social order and spend much of the day grazing together. They stay alert to threats and will raise an alarm call on sensing 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. On the whole they are quiet animals. Spitting forms part of their natural repertoire, used mainly to settle disputes over food or rank within the herd, and is directed at other alpacas far more often than at people.

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

Daily care

• Provide access to clean pasture or good-quality hay
• Make sure 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, since alpacas cope with cold far better than heat

Grooming and handling

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

Alpacas are forage eaters with a three-compartment stomach that ferments plant material efficiently. The bulk of the diet is pasture grass during the growing season and hay when grazing is poor or unavailable. They eat relatively little compared with larger livestock of similar weight, and tend to graze gently rather than pulling plants out by the roots. Overfeeding rich or high-energy feed can lead to obesity and health problems, so concentrates are given sparingly, if at all.

Treats should be given sparingly and should never replace forage. In many regions, pasture and hay do not supply sufficient 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 runs to around 15 to 20 years. Because they are prey animals, they tend to mask illness, so subtle changes in posture, appetite or droppings are often the first sign that something is amiss. 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 generally 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 a suitable size, while males mature somewhat later. Females are induced ovulators, meaning ovulation is triggered by mating rather than by a regular cycle, so breeding can take place across much of the year. Mating occurs with the female sitting in a position known as cush.

Gestation is long, running roughly 11 to 12 months, and almost always results in a single offspring, known as a cria. Twins are very rare. Births commonly take place during daylight hours. The cria is usually up on its feet and nursing within a few hours of birth, and weaning happens gradually over several months.

Is an alpaca right for you?

Alpacas need pasture, secure fencing and shelter, and since they must be kept in groups, you should plan on taking on at least two animals. They live around 15 to 20 years, making them a long-term commitment on a par with other livestock. Ongoing costs include feed and hay, annual shearing, parasite control, veterinary care and fencing upkeep. They are not suited to indoor or urban living, and keeping them may be subject to local agricultural or zoning rules.

Where to get one

Alpacas are usually bought from established breeders or smallholdings, and are occasionally available through rescue or rehoming schemes where animals need new homes. Buy from a source that keeps healthy, well-handled animals, is willing to let you see the herd, and can advise you on care. Since alpacas need company, plan to acquire more than one at the same time.