Alpacas A relative of the more familiar llama, alpacas are native to the high
Andes mountains of South America. Alpacas are one of the world's oldest
domesticated breeds of livestock. With a history predating the Incan
empire, alpacas have played a central role in the Andean cultures for
five thousand years or more.
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Alpacas are a gentle and intelligent breed. Alpacas produce
one offspring a year. Alpacas are a social animal and do best when
pastured with other alpacas. Fastidious in their habits, alpacas will
tend to form communal manure piles, which assists in controlling their
parasite load.
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Alpacas were treasured by the Inca civilization, their fine fleeces reserved
for Incan royalty. Alpacas provided clothing, food, transport, fuel and
companionship. Alpacas were close to annihilation after the Spanish
conquest of the Inca. That they survived was due to their importance to
the Indian people, and to the alpacas’ ability to tolerate harsh
climatic conditions.
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Alpacas are unique in appearance and have several traits shared only with their camelid cousins, There are relatively small, long lived, and easy to care for and manage.
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Suri Alpacas are distinguished by their long flowing locks of fleece, similar to the fleece of an Angora goat. There is still a good deal of debate as to whether Suri alpacas constitute a distinct breed of alpacas, or if they are simply a different fleece type.
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Huacaya alpacas are the more common of the two fleece types. Their fiber is dense and stands perpendicular to their body, much like would be seen in sheep.
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Alpacas are a unique breed of livestock with many characteristics setting them apart from traditional types. Owners often use words like "calming" or "magical" when describing these animals.
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Alpacas and Children have a natural affinity for each other. Perhaps it has to do with the
natural innocence and curiosity that both alpacas and children are
endowed with. Watching alpacas and children interact is truly a special
experience. Here are a few poems written by kids after seeing alpacas.
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Alpacas 