About Alpacas

Huacaya (wah-ki-ya) – dense fiber with a crimp or wavy quality, Teddy Bear like appearance.
Suri (sir-ree) – silky lustrous fine fiber that clings to itself, forming “pencil-locks” that hang.

An adult male alpaca is called a “macho”, an adult female is called a “hembra”, a yearling is called a “tui” and a baby alpaca is called a “cria”.
Alpacas live an average of 20 years. Females begin breeding around 18-24 months.
Alpacas have 2 toes on each foot and pads instead of hooves.
Alpacas can be raised on a small amount of land; allow 1 acre per 8-10 alpacas.
Alpacas deposit their dung in a communal dung pile, making cleanup easier. Also, their dung has low-odor and is low in nitrogen making it an excellent garden fertilizer.
They are gentle and easy to halter train and handle.
They communicate by softly humming, neck posturing, ear & tail positioning, and head tilting.
80% of alpaca breeders have less than 20 alpacas.
One alpaca eats the equivalent of one flake of hay per day if not grazing.
There are many tax advantages to raising alpacas.
Alpacas are raised for income, for fiber products, as pets, and 4-H animals.
Alpacas are social (herd) animals and will not survive without a companion.
Alpacas rarely spit – but if they do its usually at another alpaca.
Breeding quality alpacas sell for $10,000 to $30,000 or more.
Fiber quality animals sell for $1000-$3000.
Alpacas are shorn once a year to harvest their fleece, which is processed into yarn, clothing, and other products.
Alpaca fiber comes in 22 natural colors and is considered an elite natural fiber, such as cashmere, angora, mohair, and silk. In fact, it was once reserved for only Incan Royalty.

Alpacadero Alpacas, Seattle, WA