This makes the suri locks twist and hang down along the flank of the alpaca giving it an appearance much like a Wensleydale sheep. The suri fibre at its best is akin to silk and lends itself to the worsted process of manufacture.
The llama was developed primarily as a pack animal and has the ability to carry about 25kg of weight on its back and travel miles per day up and down the mountains of the Andes. Join the British Alpaca Society today and become part of a national community, dedicated to all things alpaca.
While llamas are used as pack animals, alpacas are raised mainly for their soft wool. They are descended from camelids that developed in North America and migrated to South America 3 million years ago, according to Phil Switzer, an alpaca breeder based in Colorado.
There are two breeds of alpaca, the Huacaya and the Suri. Huacaya alpacas are more common, according to Switzer.
The main difference between the breeds is the length and fineness of the wool-like fiber, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations FAO. The Suri have very long fibers "silky dreadlocks," according to Alpaca Ventures , while the Huacaya have a more compact "crimpy" fleece, with shorter fibers.
Alpacas are the smallest members of the camel family. The average height at the shoulder is 3 feet They are 4 to 7 feet to cm long and weigh to lbs.
By comparison, the llama stands almost 4 feet 1. Camels grow to 6. Alpacas are also native to the Andes, at elevations of up to 15, feet 4, meters. Alpacas, however, are very adaptable and have been exported all over the world, including the United States, New Zealand, Australia and the Netherlands, so their "habitat" is often farmland. Since they weigh only a fraction of what horses and cows weigh, each alpaca eats a correspondingly tiny fraction of what the larger farm animals will eat.
We have found that once the basics of fencing, shelter and water are set up, daily care needs are minimal. Alpacas are easy to care for and a joy to be around. Other Fun Facts:. Alpacas are very quiet, docile animals that generally make a minimal amount of sound. They generally make only a pleasant humming sound as a means of communication or to express concern or stress.
Alpacas have a lifespan of roughly 15 to 20 years. Alpacas need the companionship of other alpacas to thrive, so we recommend purchasing two or more animals when starting your herd. Alpaca only teeth on the bottom, and a hard gum known as a dental pad on the top for crushing grain, grass, or hay. Alpaca cria normally weigh between 15 and 19 pounds when they are born, and are usually standing and nursing within 90 minutes of birth.
Alpaca Fleece and Fashion:. Alpacas are shorn once a year in a process that does not harm the alpaca. Each alpaca produces between two and 12 pounds of fleece each year. Alpaca fleece is luxurious, soft and beautiful, and grows on the alpacas in 22 natural colors more colors than any other fiber producing animal!
The concern may be a predator, or may be something they are not familiar with, like a cow or horse in a neighboring field. Male alpacas also "serenade" females during breeding with a guttural, throaty sound called "orgling.
Alpacas are pleasant to be around and generally easy to handle. Alpacas do not head-butt. They do not have horns or hooves like other livestock. They move gracefully and adroitly about the field and are therefore unlikely to run into or over anyone intentionally.
Males develop sharp fighting teeth at about three years of age which can cause injury to both humans as well as other alpacas. Alpacas will reflexively kick with a hind leg, particularly if surprised from behind. While the impact of an alpaca kick is not on par with a horse, it can create a bruise. Also, there is potential for toenails to cut skin. As with all livestock, owners and visitors should use common sense and a degree of caution when working around alpacas.
People working with alpacas should wear long pants and shoes or boots that have traction and cover the whole foot. Proper handling of alpacas, as well as all camelids, requires humans gaining their trust by using a calm voice and light restraint.
Handling alpacas for herd husbandry is best taught to novice alpaca owners by experienced owners or experts. Alpacas have very strong herd instincts and need the companionship of other alpacas to thrive, preferably three or more.
Alpacas are livestock, and should not be treated as house pets. Alpacas should be kept with their own sex with a few exceptions. One exception is that male crias need to be kept with their mothers until weaning. Gelded males should not be housed together with females, as they can repeatedly attempt to breed the females. This can lead to serious health consequences for the females. Alpacas are a small and relatively easy livestock to maintain. They stand about 36' high at the withers where the neck and spine come together and weigh between to pounds.
Like other types of livestock, alpacas need basic shelter and protection from heat and foul weather. Good nutrition is essential for healthy animals. Hay, minerals, and fresh clean water should be available at all times.
Many alpaca owners also provide a nutritional supplement. Alpacas also require yearly shearing to keep them cool in the summer. Alpacas do not have hooves; instead they have two toes, with hard toenails on top and a soft pad on the bottom of their feet. Their padded feet minimize the impact on the pasture. To ensure proper foot alignment and comfort, their toenails must be trimmed as needed.
Alpacas are environmentally friendly and require less pasture and food compared to other livestock. Stocking density impacts the health of the animal, so owners are encouraged to carefully assess their space.
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