* Alpacas are members of the camelid ( or camel ) family. They are mild tempered animals with a curious nature and are a great joy to their owners.
* There are two different breed-types: the huacaya (wah-KI-ya) and the suri ( surrey). Although both types are nearly identical, one main physical difference is clearly identifiable: the fleece. Huacaya fleece has a degree of wavyness or crimp and looks very fluffy. Suris, on the other hand, have no crimp in their fleece, so their fiber clings to itself and forms beautiful locks that hang down the body like a silky cascade.
* Indigenous to South America, the alpaca is raised for its soft fleece. The fleece is sheared once a year with a shear weight of roughly five to ten pounds. After a little bit of preperation, it is ready to be spun into yarn (for knitting, crocheting, and weaving) or used to make felt ( for creating hats, cloth, or moccasins). There are 22 natural colors of alpaca.
* Alpacas are about three feet tall at the withers ( shoulders ) and weigh between 100 and 200 pounds.
* They require only smal amounts of food ( 1 1/2 to 2 % of their body weight in hay per day ), plus free access to fresh water and free choice minerals.
* Their average life span is 15 to 20 years. Females usually have one cria ( baby ) per year. Twins are very rare. Birth weight is usually between 16 and 20 pounds.