The alpaca (Vicugna pacos) is a South American camelid domesticated more than 6,000 years ago in the Andes of Peru, Bolivia and Chile. Today there are over 3.5 million alpacas in the world, the vast majority in South America, although their breeding has spread to more than 70 countries.

Where do alpacas come from?

Alpacas descend from the wild vicuña (Vicugna vicugna), which Andean peoples began to domesticate between 4000 and 3000 BC on the altiplano plateau, at over 4,000 metres altitude. For Andean civilisations, and especially for the Inca Empire, the alpaca was a sacred animal: its fibre was reserved for the nobility and known as "the fleece of the gods".

Physical characteristics

Alpacas are medium-sized animals: they measure between 81 and 99 cm at the shoulder and weigh between 48 and 84 kg. Their neck is long and their head small, with large expressive eyes and upright pointed ears. Their body is covered with a dense, soft fleece that can measure between 10 and 20 cm before annual shearing.

There are two recognised breeds:

  • Huacaya: the most common (95% of the world population). Its fibre is fluffy, crimped and very dense, similar to cotton in appearance.
  • Suri: rarer and highly valued. Its fibre falls in silky, shiny locks, similar to a fantasy creature.

Behaviour and personality

Alpacas are curious, intelligent and generally calm animals. They are very sociable and need to live in groups: a solitary alpaca can suffer stress and become ill. They communicate with each other through soft hums, which vary in tone according to their emotional state.

Although docile, they can spit when threatened or in disputes among themselves — though they rarely do so with humans who behave calmly.

Diet

They are ruminant herbivores that feed mainly on grass and hay. Their three-stomach digestive system allows them to make the most of nutrients. Unlike goats or cows, their padded hooves do not damage the soil and their grazing style does not uproot grass, making the alpaca one of the most sustainable farm animals on the planet.

Life cycle

Alpacas have a gestation period of about 11 months and usually give birth to a single calf (cría). Calves are born with their eyes open and stand up in less than an hour. They live between 15 and 20 years, and females can reproduce for most of their adult lives.

Alpaca fibre

Alpaca fibre is one of the most valued in the world for its unique properties:

  • Softness: softer than sheep's wool.
  • Hypoallergenic: contains no lanolin, making it suitable for sensitive skin.
  • Thermal: regulates body temperature in both cold and heat.
  • Durable: 3 times stronger than sheep's wool.
  • Lightweight: warm garments without excessive weight.

Shearing takes place once a year, in spring, and each alpaca produces between 1.5 and 3 kg of fibre per shearing. The fibre comes in more than 22 natural colours, from pure white to black, through greys, browns and pinks.

Alpacas around the world

Although 90% of alpacas live in Peru and Bolivia, they are now raised in Europe, North America, Australia, New Zealand and Asia. In Spain there are farms in the Pyrenees, Galicia, Asturias and other regions. Many of them open their doors to rural tourism, offering walks and unique experiences.