All About Alpacas
You may be asking, just what is an alpaca?
There are four South American camelid species – vicunas, Guanacos, Llamas and Alpacas. Alpacas are the smallest members of this camelid species. They are a cousin to the Llama and are still rare in North America. Today, there are approximately 35,000 alpacas in the United States. Alpacas have padded feet, few teeth, a luxurious soft fiber, and an overall curious and friendly personality. These characteristics combined with their small size, make them a very favorable livestock choice for small farms with limited space.
The Basic Facts
Alpacas live an average of 15-25 years
The average height of an alpaca is 33-35 inches at the withers (shoulder)
Alpacas weigh between 100 - 200 pounds, or generally 1/2 - 1/3 the size of a Llama
Alpacas have pads on their feet, toenails, and only have bottom teeth
The average gestation for a female alpaca is 11 - 11 1/2 months
Alpacas come in 16 basic colors with many variations and blends
Shearing takes place once per year and is usually in the spring
