About Alpacas

Close your eyes and caress your cheek with the soft touch of a baby alpaca sweater. See the luster and glow of a fine suit made from alpaca fabric. Feel the warmth of a cozy alpaca scarf and overcoat as you walk through the falling snow. This is why people prefer alpaca.

Alpaca incorporates the finest features of the world’s natural fibers. It is as soft as cashmere, yet warmer and stronger than wool. The rarity of alpaca is its only limitation. The world produces less alpaca fiber than almost any other fiber type. Only the vicuna, the alpaca’s ancestor, is more rare.

Alpacas are members of the camelid (or camel) family. They are mild tempered animals, with an inquisitive nature, and are known for bringing great delight to their owners.

Indigenous to South America, the alpaca is raised for its soft fleece. Known as the "fabric of kings", the fleece is sheared once a year and will yield about five to ten pounds. With only minimal preparation, it is ready to be spun into yarn for knitting, weaving or crocheting, or used to make felt for creating hats and clothing.

Alpacas stand about 36 inches tall at the withers (area where the neck and spine come together) and weigh between 100 and 200 pounds.

They require only modest amounts of food; usually, only 1-1/2 to 2 percent of their body weight in hay each day, plus free access to fresh water and minerals. Some owners will supplement their alpacas' diets by adding grain supplements, based on specific nutritional needs.