Alpacas are members of the camelid (Vicuna, Guanco, Llama and Alpaca) family. Alpacas are native to the Andean mountain range of South America primarily found in Peru, Bolivia, and Chile, where the largest populations can be found.

The alpaca is closely related to the llama, they are however distinctly different. Alpacas are roughly one third the size of a llama and weigh in at approximately 55-70Kg (125-150lbs). Their ears and muzzle are shorter than a llama and generally there is more fleece coverage, especially on their legs.

Alpacas have a life span of 15-20 years. Females will spend most of their lives gestating and will begin breeding between 14 months and 2 years of age, and have a gestation period of about 11 ½ months, they will usually give birth without intervention during day light hours. Males on the other hand begin breeding between 2 and 3 years of age.

There are two main types of alpaca; Huacaya (pronounced wa-ki-ah) and Suri (pronounced surrey). With huacaya being the most common, it has a soft bonnet of fleece on the forehead and its’ dense body wool grows straight out from the body. The ‘Suri’ alpaca is the less common of the two and is distinguished by its long, pencil fine locks which hang straight down from the body (resembling dreadlocks).

In the UK there are currently in the region of 17,000 alpacas, all of which are bred for their fleece and for pedigree bloodstock. The alpaca fleece provides a soft, lightweight, lustrous fibre, second only to silk for strength, comparable to cashmere for luxury and more durable than both.