Menu
Menu
The alpacas are domesticated animals that live in the Andes Mountains in South America, especially in Peru, Bolivia, Chile and Ecuador.
Alpacas (Vicugna pacos), the charming creatures of the Andes, share a familial bond with llamas, guanacos, and vicuñas, as they all belong to the camel family.
Known for their gentle nature and plush fleece, alpacas are increasingly being raised around the world as livestock animals, as well as adorable pets.
Standing approximately 36 inches (91 cm) tall at the shoulder and weighing between 100 and 200 pounds (45–90 kg), they are small, gracile animals.
Their comparatively long necks, big expressive eyes and padded feet minimize their impact on the environment.
The fleece of alpacas is sought after for its softness and warmth, producing beautiful varieties of colour including mosaic colours where over 22 shades are recognized ranging from white and beige to dark black.
Alpacas are high-altitude grazers in their native Andes, often found at 11,000–16,000 ft (3,400–4,800 m).
Being herbivores, they consume grass, hay and other plant material with low protein levels primarily.
They have an efficient digestive system that allows them to extract nutrients from low-calorie vegetation.
Alpacas, known scientifically as Vicugna pacos, are mainly raised for their luxurious fleece. This remarkable fibre is not only lighter and warmer but also softer compared to traditional sheep wool, making it highly sought after.
Extremely hypoallergenic too, which is why it is the go-to when talking about premium textiles. In addition to their fleece, alpacas are an integral part of sustainable farming.
Their gentle grazing fosters ecological balance, and they have a relatively low environmental footprint.
Alpacas are social creatures who live in herds with a dominant male at the head of their pack. They make a variety of vocalizations, hum — and they use body language, including the position of their ears and spitting to communicate feelings.
While not threatened, alpacas are important animals in the cultural and economic lives of Andean peoples. In recent years, they have become popular elsewhere for farming and in therapy because of their mild-mannered persona.
But alpacas are not just cute animals — they represent a marriage between nature and human livelihood in the harsh terrains of the Andes.
Gestation in alpacas lasts about 11.5 months (345 days) although it may vary from 335-365 days. To get an estimate at when an alpaca is due to give birth, try this simple method:
Steps for Calculation
Breeding Date: The specific day on which the dam was mated.
We add 345 days to this and this gives us the approximate due date.
Formula
This gives a due date if the cow was bred 345 days before the date on which pregnancy is diagnosed:
Example
Date of Breeding: 01 January 2024
Estimated Due Date: (1 Jan 2024 + 345d) ≈ ( December 11, 2024)
Variability: 345 days are the norm, but it can be a few days earlier or later when your alpaca gives birth (known as “cria’ing”).