Alpacas are gentle, elegant, inquisitive and intelligent animals. They are an ancient breed and are related to the camel family, which is thought to be approximately 3 million years old.

There are two different kinds of Alpaca - the long-haired Suri and the short-haired Huacaya (pronounced wa-ki-a). Huacaya is the most common breed.

Alpacas are herd animals which communicate with a gentle humming sound. If they are frightened they can scream and spit green goo!

Where do Alpacas live?
Their natural habitat is the high mountain ranges of the Andes in South America, however Alpacas have been domesticated more than 5,000 years. There are no longer any Alpacas living in the wild.

Why do we keep Alpacas?
Alpacas were originally bred for their wool, or fibre, and meat. Today it is illegal to slaughter or trade in Alpaca meat.

Alpaca fleece is as soft as cashmere and warmer, lighter and stronger than wool. It comes in 22 basic colours with many variations and blends. Their fleece, once reserved for Incan royalty, is now used by spinners and weavers to make blankets, jumpers, hats, gloves, scarves and socks all around the world .

Average lifespan
18 - 20 years.