History
As a group, South American camelids date back millions of years. Its domestication occurred over six thousand years ago. The alpaca's breeding and husbandry reached a peak in the 11th and 12th centuries A.D. under the Inca Empire. Then, alpaca and llama breeding was conducted by a state organization that looked for lots of fine fibre and sought to perpetuate the species. Through the centuries, the alpaca has also served as a food source and played an important role in the religion of its caretakers. Even now at Inca burial sites, whole alpaca garments are found intact -- the fibre is so strong.
When the Spanish conquest occurred in the 16th century, the alpaca fell out of favour. New domestic animals from Europe were introduced and mining became the most lucrative business activity. The alpacas were forced to the higher elevations of Bolivia and Peru, while their numbers dwindled in the harsh climate of the "alto plano." In the 1920's, however, appreciation for the wonderful fibre experienced a rebirth and by the 1980's, alpaca fibre production had risen so much that it became a great economic resource for Peru. Today, Peru has over 85% of the world's alpaca population, protects the species as a natural resource and restricts exportation. Until the 1980's, only a very limited amount of alpacas existed in North America living in zoos or privately owned.
Their relatives in the South American camelid family include the domesticated llama and the wild vicuna and guanaco. The alpaca is said to most closely relate to the vicuna, which has the best fleece in the world. All are browsers and grazers and chew their cud. They share the camel's even toed, padded foot and unique style of lying down (called "kushing") with their front legs bent and directed backwards. Camelids are smaller than camels and have no back hump. The alpaca is the smallest of the domesticated South American camelids, usually half the size of a llama, and is known for its abundant, fine fibre and gentle nature.
Characteristics
Physically, the alpaca is recognized for its compact size; abundant, soft fibre; long, graceful neck and ears that typically point lightly outward. Their heads are adorned with much fleece and beautiful, expressive eyes. The alpaca's tail is naturally short and low set. Their soft, padded feet have two toes from which the nails grow out and down. They can be clipped as easily as human toenails. Their foot design allows them to tread very lightly over the terrain, while not destroying it, so they are very environmentally friendly. Alpacas lack upper front teeth. They grasp forage with their agile split upper lip, nip it off with the action of their lower incisors against their upper hard pallet, then grind the food with their molars.
Adult alpacas weigh approximately 100 to 175 lbs. and stand 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 feet at the withers. Their fleece is also silky, luxurious, very warm, coming in an amazing array of colours -- more than any other fibre-bearing animal. There are 22 recognized colours ranging from white, many shades of brown, to dark mahogany and gray to black.
There are two breeds of alpacas: the huacaya and the suri. They are similar in all ways except for their fibre. The huacaya's dense fibre grows straight out from its body and has crimp, giving the animal the look of a soft, natural sponge. The finer, straight fibre of the suri tends to part along the length of the spine and hangs from the animal in dredlock-like formations.
Alpaca fibre is prized for its softness (equivalent to cashmere and mohair and surpassed only by its closest relative, the wild vicuna), uniform finesse and strength (3 times stronger than sheep's wool). Alpacas usually have much finer fiber than a llama and the very course guard hairs that are abundant on most llamas are absent in the alpaca's blanket. The best fibre is found on the alpaca's sides and loin. The belly, face and neck fleece often consists of thicker, less uniform fibre.
Behavior
Alpacas are a herd animal and prefer the company of their own to that of other species. Within the herd, there is a hierarchy of dominant and less assertive animals. When frightened, alpacas tend to band together.
The gentle alpaca character makes them fairly easy to handle by a person who understands their ways. While alpacas must become accustomed to human touch, most can easily be trained to halter and accept people. Rarely handled animals usually require some form of restraint for treatments, but one person holding the animal can easily accomplish this. Most male alpacas can be kept together in non-breeding situations and some in breeding situations, as well.
Alpacas communicate with a variety of quiet noises, body postures and an occasional spit when agitated. They most commonly emit a soft, humming noise. Other sounds include a sad sigh when distressed and the alarm call sounded by the watchguard alpaca to signal the approach of an intruder. Some mother alpacas actually cluck to their newborn babies. Posturing is done with the ears, neck and tail and is many times used to maintain the pecking order of the herd. Young alpacas are especially curious and often communicate by sniffing and touching other animals and even humans.
Alpacas love water and use it as a cooling device in warm months. Most enjoy ponds, being hosed off and baby pools. Lying in water for long periods of time is very cooling to the alpaca, but will cause fibre loss on the alpaca's legs and belly.
Are They Practical?
Yes, indeed! As rare and treasured as alpacas are in North America, they are essentially domestic animals that have been bred for thousands of years for fine fibre with consideration also being given to meat production. In North America, we do not appreciate alpacas for their taste. Here, they are valued for their fibre, form, gentleness and amusing personalities. While the emphasis of the infant industry is on the production and perpetuation of the species in Canada and the U.S., alpacas are also purchased as fibre sources, show animals, pets and living forms of art.
Most alpacas can be easily halter-trained when they are weaned and make fun walking companions. Tidy by nature and compact in size, pet alpacas may be invited into the house or be transported in the back of the family van to visit relatives or a local school. In fact, even untrained adult alpacas are commonly transported this way without incident, as they kush once the vehicle gets moving.
Breeding Alpacas
Female alpacas are ready for breeding when they have reached 75% of their adult weight, which usually occurs between 18 and 24 months of age. Since a few may become pregnant as early as 12 months of age, it is important to separate young females at this age from intact males until they are ready for breeding. Sexually mature females are induced ovulators and do not exhibit menstrual cycles associated with most domestic animals. A mature female is almost constantly "open" or "receptive" to breeding.
Males mature more slowly than females and usually begin breeding at 2 1/2 to 3 years of age. Some, however, are precocious as youngsters and should be separated at about 8 months of age from receptive females, since fertilization by a young male is possible any time after the penis no longer adheres to the prepuce (sheath).
Accommodations
Alpacas are hardy, with the ability to adapt to all climates. They also have minimal shelter requirements. However, access to a barn or simple overhang offers them much needed protection from storms and ample shade in the hot weather.
Fencing is critical to the survival of the alpaca. Because they hardly ever run away, keeping them home is no problem. Exterior fencing must be high enough to keep all potential predators out, including the menacing neighborhood dog. Woven wire or any solid material that rises from the ground level to a height of five or more feet usually suffices. For added protection, some owners add an electric wire along the top. Inside a structure, any comination of boards, woven wire, cables and barless wire that stands about 5' and does not allow the smallest animals to escape under or through will do.
Nutrition / Feeding
Extremely efficient utilizers of feed, alpacas do well on pasture or clean, grass-type hay. Overfeeding and dependence on the use of protein-rich hays, such as alfalfa, are unhealthy and should be avoided. Females in their last trimester of pregnancy, nursing mothers and growing young ones require higher levels of protein (about 12%) and may benefit from supplemental feeding. Fresh water should always be available, along with mineral salt. Alpacas are sensitive to the deprivation of essential minerals including selenium and phosphorus. When green forage or hay from areas of specified deficiencies is fed, animals must be directly compensated for the minerals they lack in their feed.
Health and Medical Care
Even though alpacas are very healthy and disease resistant, they greatly benefit from preventative veterinary measures. A priority for new alpaca owners should be to find a good camelid vet. If no one is available, look for a local veterinarian who is interested in alpacas and willing to learn. A health program should include vaccinations to protect against enterotoxemia, tetanus, BVDV, West Nile (where applicable), rabies, and any other diseases of local concern, as well as the control of internal and external parasites. Regular selenium supplements are required in many areas to prevent white muscle disease. Alpacas' nails should be trimmed regularly and not allowed to grow long and curly. The teeth should be inspected and incisors trimmed if they exhibit excessive growth. Shearing alpacas once a year will further add to their happiness, coolness in the summer and general well-being.
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