Alpacas are members of the camelid family.  They are very inquisitive and mild tempered.  Alpacas are approx. 36 inches tall at the withers and weight between 100 and 200 pounds.

Alpacas originate in South America where they are raised for their soft fiber.  They are sheared once a year and they can yield 5 to 10 pounds of fleece.

There are two different kinds of alpacas, the Huacaya (wah-Ki-ya) and the Suri. The main difference is in the fleece.  Huacaya fleece is wavy and crimpy giving them a teddy bear look.  The Suri's have no crimp so their fiber clings together giving them silky pencil locks that hang down from their body.

Alpacas eat hay, grass and are supplemented with additional grains based on their needs.

Alpacas do not require a lot of land.  Depending on the type of terrain, climate, and the availability of pasture it can very from 2 to six per acre in dry climates and in milder wetter climates, 8 to 10 per acre.

Alpacas are herd animals and need companionship of other alpacas to thrive.  A minimum of two of the same gender is best.