Alpacas are South American Camelids closely related to the Llama, and more distantly related to the camels of Asia and Africa. It is believed the alpaca is a descendant of the Vicuna and Guanaco, having been domesticated and revered for its luxurious fibre during the Inca Empire. The largest populations of alpaca are located in Peru, Bolivia and Chile; however, alpacas are raised all over the world.

Alpacas were first imported into New Zealand in the early 1980's. Since then the NZ herd has been growing slowly but steadily with significant genetic improvement over the original imported animals.

Alpacas are a modified ruminant, not only eating less grass than most other animals but also converting it to energy very efficiently. Unlike the true ruminant, they have three compartments to their stomach, not four.

Alpacas are about one-third the size of a Llama. Alpaca ears and muzzle are shorter, but the most easily recognizable difference is the ears. Llamas have "banana-shaped" ears, where alpaca ears are straight. While both are members of the camel (or camelid) family, they are distinctly different animals.  Alpacas have more fleece coverage (especially on their legs) and the quality of the fleece is vastly different – alpaca being the superior.

HUACAYA    (pronounced “wa-kai-ya”)
The Huacaya accounts for over 95% of the world’s alpaca population and is characterised by a thick dense fleece growing perpendicularly from the body. Good Huacaya fibre has a soft handle, brightness of sheen and frequently has a defined crimp throughout the blanket area.

SURI     (pronounced “su-ree” – yes, same as Tom Cruz’s little girl)
The rare and prized Suri is distinguished by its long silky fibre that grows parallel to the body and hangs in long, separate, distinctive pencil locks. Its softness and exquisite luster ensures a premium price on the world fibre market.

Alpacas are the only fibre producing animal with 22 recognised natural colours, from black to white, with varying shades of browns, grays, and fawns and many shades in between.

Alpacas are one of the few animals that remain the same colour throughout their lives.

Alpacas communicate by using several different noises. A soft short 'hummm' is most common, but they also will sound a somewhat high pitched scream when in distress, and have a “watch paco alarm” to notify the rest of the herd of an intruder. They can 'cluck', to their young, and males will 'orgle' when mating, which is unlike anything I have ever heard.

Cria are usually between 6 and 10 kg at birth. Full grown animals can range from 65 to 95 kg and about 1m – 1.2m tall at the shoulder.

In NZ the lifespan is between 20 to 30 years, while successfully breeding for most of that time.