Alpaca Facts

• Alpacas are native to South America, coming from Bolivia, Chile, and Peru

• Members of the camelid family which includes camels, llamas, and vicunas

• There are two types of alpacas; huacaya and suri

• Huacayas have dense, crimpy, “teddy bear” type fleece

• Suris have long, silky, pencil-like dreadlocks

• A baby alpaca is called a “cria”

• A typical cria weights 12-22 pounds at birth

• A typical adult weights 120-200 pounds

• Alpacas live 15-20 years

• Gestation is 11-12 months, with single births the norm

• The United States has been closed to further importation since 1998

• Alpacas produce 5-12 pounds of fleece per year

• Their fiber comes in 22 different shades and colors

• Alpaca fiber is more resilient, breathable, stronger and warmer than merino sheep wool.

• Alpaca fiber is lanolin-free, unlike sheep wool, and is therefore hypoallergenic

                                                 Shadowberry Farm Alpacas

                       Tom & Nancy Imphong~73 Biddle Rd.~Carlisle, PA 17015