Sabella and Lucy Luv, two of our prize winning female Suri alpacas

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

To  learn more about alpacas, visit our Frequently Asked Questions page.