Frequently Asked Questions
What country are alpaca native to?
Alpacas are native to the high altitude areas of South America (Anti Plano) Peru, Chile, Bolivia and Argentina where the temperatures can be blisteringly hot during the day and freezing at night.
What's the difference between an Huacaya and a Suri?
Huacaya alpacas (which make up 95% of the worlds alpaca population) have a dense fibre which grows straight out from their body. Huacaya fleece has crimp along the length of the staple similar to that of a sheep. Their fleece should cover their entire body including their lower leg and they should have a bonnet of fibre on their head. When the fleece is opened on the alpaca's body you can see the defined crimp and lustre shine that starts close to the skin and continues along the fibre. This fibre feels very soft to touch and is used for exquisite fabrics and is spun into yarn to make garments such as jumpers. Suri alpaca fleece grows in long pencil like locks similar to dreadlocks which hang straight down from their body. Suri fleece generally has more lustre and a much silkier feel than that of the huacaya. When a suri runs in the paddock its fibre moves on its side like a flowing silken curtain. When shorn, suri fleece tends to weigh more than huacaya fleece. Suri fibre is used for more specialised and delicate garments and fabrics.
Do you shear alpaca?
Alpacas are shorn once a year usually during spring which in Australia is October and November. A mechanical sheep-shearing hand piece is used to shear and is much faster than the 'old fashioned' blade shearing method.
What are baby alpacas called?
Baby alpaca are called CRIA. When they are weaned at around 6 months of age (adolescents) they are called TUIS (pronounced "chewy") and when mature - females are HEMBRA and males MACHOS. How long is an alpaca pregnant? The average length of pregnancy for an alpaca is 335 days (11 months). A female becomes pregnant for the first time at 12-14 months of age and gives birth for the first time at around two years. At birth a cria weighs 6-8 kilos and drinks mum's milk until weaned at around 5 or 6 months. Alpaca milk is quite thick and is very rich with nutrients. A cria only drinks for a minute or so at a time. Cria begin nibbling on grass from a few weeks of age but will still rely solely on mum's milk for sustenance until 4 months when they are spend their day grazing with other babies in the paddock and have milk as a supplement. Unlike human babies, if a cria is born prematurely (more than 3 or 4 weeks prior to their due date) their lungs are too immature for survival and they will die shortly after birth. The developing foetus remains small in size until the last two months before birth so a mid-term pregnant female alpaca outwardly appears no different to a non-pregnant female in size. Although a female spends all its adult life pregnant it is put at no discomfort for this in fact healthy alpaca in their native South America will naturally also have a baby every year. Alpaca birth easily and conveniently during the day (usually between the hours of 8am and 2pm)
Do alpacas have twins?
Twins in alpaca are very rare and occur naturally only once in 3,000 or so births. In their native country twins die at birth as the weather conditions are very harsh and human neonatal care is not administered. In Australia 8 or so twin births have been recorded. Several sets of these twins have survived after having been given neonatal (and ongoing care - such as bottle feeding) by their owners.
How many colours do alpaca come in?
Alpacas come in a range of natural colours - bright white, creams, all shades of grey including silver, gunmetal grey, rose grey and roan grey (which is almost pink), beige to medium and dark fawns, light browns, red browns and chocolate browns and even black - including jet black. White alpaca fibre can also be dyed just like sheep wool. Of course using natural undyed coloured alpaca wool means your garment's colour won't run or fade over time.
What animals are alpaca related to?
The closest relative to the alpaca is the Llama. They are both from a group species known as South American Camelids which includes Camel, Llama, Alpaca, Guanaco and Vicuña . Llama are approximately twice the size of alpacas and have banana shaped ears. Llama are mainly used as a pack animal in South America. Alpaca being much finer boned (and weighing on average 70 kilos) are not suitable for carrying heavy loads. In Australia alpaca are exclusively farmed as fleece animals. It is not expected that alpaca will ever be a meat industry in Australia although alpaca and llama are eaten in their native country.
Alpacas as Flock Guards
Alpacas have a strong herd protective nature and are known to fend off and even kill intruder dogs and foxes broaching their paddock. It is common knowledge and a widely used practice for farmers in Australia to successfully introduce two male alpaca (of 18 months or older) into a herd of sheep or goats for flock protection against foxes and dogs. Alpaca Flock Guards work best in pairs and alpaca aged 18 months or older are best as they have learned their protective instincts from the alpaca herd they have lived with prior to this. A sole alpaca within a flock may work, once they have bonded to their herd of sheep or goats. But, if using single alpacas in adjoining paddocks you may find they may seek alpaca company rather than bonding to and protecting the sheep or goat they are paddocked with. Two alpacas are easily able to protect 100 or so ewes or goats within a 20 acre flat paddock. More than two alpaca may be needed for larger herds or on undulating pastures. Same sex alpacas working together make the best protectors for obvious reasons. Male alpacas should be castrated from around the age of 8 months up to 2 years of age (alpaca become sexually mature between 2 and 3 years of age). Castration is necessary as two sexually mature males may fight with each other (even with no female alpaca within the vicinity) and will cause problem to ewes etc during lambing season (hormone levels in the ewes similar to ready to mate female alpaca) . Males castrated later than 3 years of age may still retain some of their ‘macho’ traits even if castrated. Castration of alpaca is easily done and will cost around the same as a domestic dog sterilisation. Castrations should be carried out by a veterinarian as alpaca cannot be castrated by "ringing" (a method routinely practiced on sheep, goat and cattle etc. using lastrating rings). This is because alpaca's anatomy is not like that of traditional farming breeds where the testicles are free of the male's body. An alpaca’s testes rest close to their body and anaesthetic & stitches are required during the castration process. Most alpacas will start protecting as soon as they join their sheep or goat herd but others may take a little time to bond with their new flock particularly if they paddock is large. It is also good practice to allow the flockguard alpaca to bond with his herd several months prior to lambing. Traditional fencing is still a necessity to deter dogs from entering paddocks. A group of vicious dogs may still be able to inflict damage even to the best alpaca herd guard but alpaca will certainly do everything in their power to protect their herd. Alpaca flock guards are known to sit next to newly born lambs whilst the lamb's mother births their twin nearby. Alpaca flock guards will sit in amongst and rest with their flock but will always be on guard and ready to protect against unwanted intrusion of strangers.
Do Alpacas make good PETS?
Alpacas are gentle natured, inquisitive and intelligent animals which makes them excellent 'pets' particularly for families with children - and a 1/2 acre or so of land. They are however still herd animals and it is advisable and most definitely encouraged to keep at least two alpaca paddocked together at all times. Alpacas purchased as pets should be of the same sex and generally of similar age. Young males are relatively cheap to buy and may be purchased shortly after weaning takes place at around 6 months. Like any livestock, the more handling alpaca receive as youngsters, the quieter they are as adults. Problems can and do arise over time if an alpaca is kept solo. Alpacas have a herd "pecking order' and this natural phenomenon continuously reassesses itself as other alpacas join the herd. If an alpaca is paddocked solo, his pecking order may also include his human herd members or other animals he is with. In rare cases solo alpaca have been known to become physically pushy and even aggressive towards people. Single alpaca generally just become very lonely without one of their own kind, a sheep , the family dog, or a sometimes-there -human friend does not rate a worthy companion. It is imperative that male alpaca be castrated when kept as pets. Alpaca reach sexual maturity generally between the ages of 18 months and 3 years and along with the rush of testosterone comes a normal more dominant behaviour and occasional natural male aggression. Male pet castration is best done at 11 or 12 months of age (well before the onset of sexual maturity) to ensure its continued placidity. If sexual maturity is reached prior to castration the male may retain some of his 'macho' traits. Alpaca are generally quite easy to halter train. They are quite happy to walk on a lead held by a sensible child. It is essential that your alpaca's halter is the right size and correctly fitted because of his soft cartilage muzzle. A tight or ill fitting halter will restrict his breathing, stress him quickly and cause him to try to get away. Alpacas are weaned from their mothers at around 5 or 6 months of age and it advisable that alpacas of similar age be purchased if buying a pair as pets for your family. Alpaca, like family dogs, are long term pets as they can live up to or beyond 20 years of age. Alpaca do not need a large paddock, three alpaca can happily live on 1/2 acre of land but may need additional feeding such as oaten hay. Alpaca should have an area where they can get protection from the sun, rain or wind in their paddock, such as a large tree or perhaps a lean-to but they do not need a stable. In fact alpaca tend to not like enclosed sheds at all, much preferring an (open on 3 side) roofed 'lean-to' as their home-base. Alpacas with shelters in their paddocks are still known to be quite happy sit out in the sun, stretched out belly-up on 40 degree celsius for a time or sitting out in the middle of a paddock in a storm. Giving your alpaca access to shelter just gives him the opportunity to keep dry or cool when he wishes and also protects his feed from the rain (wet grain or hay can quickly grow harmful bacteria). If your alpaca are paddocked around your home, you need to ensure they cannot access poisonous plants. It is advisable to get advice about feeding your pet alpacas before or when you buy them. A registered member of the Australian Alpaca Association will be able to give you helpful advice about the care of your alpaca. Alpacas eat basically the same amount and convert the same as a sheep. They need a diet high in roughage and lower in protein to be healthy. Green paddock grass and some oaten hay under cover from rain is the most preferred feed but they can live quite happily on dry pastures. A diet of green paddock grass alone may also cause your alpaca to scour. Some alpaca breeders also give their a alpaca supplementary feed such as a muesli type mix (particularly for lactating females and also recently weaned youngsters), like with all pets - overfeeding is dangerous to their health. A diet too rich in protein will cause liver damage without any obvious visual ill effects to your alpaca immediately. Of course it goes without saying that your alpaca will need constant access to clean, fresh, cool water. If you want your alpacas to be friendly and easy to lead they will need contact with their human handlers on a regular basis - this can be in the form of giving them their daily muesli feed or a halter-walk a few times a week. Leaving your alpaca for weeks or longer periods without human contact will cause them to become harder to handle when you want to handle it. Alpacas also rely on their human owners for regular maintenance - twice yearly 5 in 1 vaccination (which provides protection from tetanus and other earth-born diseases) and checking of teeth and toenails for necessary trimming and also an annual shearing in spring is required to keep it in good health. AAA members will happily give you all the required information and show you how to do these things or whom to contact when your alpaca needs them done. General alpaca care and information can also be gained by visiting and perusing the Australian Alpaca Association website or perhaps by subscribing to the Australian Alpaca Association's colour magazine which comes out 3 times a year and is filled with ongoing stories and tips on alpacas
Do Alpacas Spit ?
It is rare for alpacas to spit at people. This usually happens in an extreme situation where the alpaca feels threatened by the human. Alpacas do occasionally spit at each other in the paddock while sorting out their pecking order but, this is usually a harmless 'air' spit....where one animal warns off another with a strong force of air spat into the face. If they use a REAL spit - it is a nasty guttural cud spit (of eaten grass from their stomach) which is so offensive that even the spitting alpaca is left with a taste in its mouth nasty and enough to put it off eating for a while. Needless to say spitting is something alpaca generally don't like to do. Spitting is also a defence mechanism used by a pregnant female alpaca to ward off the unwanted arduous advances of a male (and is called "spitting-off" by alpaca farmers). Farmed alpaca males and females are kept in same sex paddocks. Alpaca farmers use "spitting-off" as an early pregnancy indicator in their breeding program. A recently mated female is put into a small pen and a male is then brought in. If the female is pregnant she will spit at the male and refuse to sit down for him. The pregnancy is confirmed later with an ultrasound at around 60 days of pregnancy