All About Alpacas

The history of alpacas as domestic animals goes back to ancient times – they were domesticated more than 6000 years ago. This was done by the indigenous peoples of Peru, for whom alpacas became not just a source of resources, but part of their culture. It was believed that these animals appeared on earth together with the fertility goddess Pachamama – and since then have always been near humans.

Written mention of them occurs as early as the mid-16th century. In 1553, Spanish chronicler Pedro Cieza de Leon described an animal that Indians called "pacos" in the book "Chronicle of Peru". He noted that externally it resembles a sheep or llama, but smaller and covered with thick fleece. True, he called it "very ugly" at the same time. Of course, it's hard to agree with this – alpacas are now considered one of the most adorable domestic animals.

In the Inca era, alpacas played an important role: they were called "gold of the Andes", as these animals provided people with warm fleece from which clothes were made, and helped survive in harsh mountain conditions.

For a long time it was believed that alpaca is just a domesticated subspecies of llama. But DNA research showed the opposite. Scientists found out that llama (Lama glama) comes from guanaco (Lama guanicoe), and alpaca – from vicuna (Vicugna vicugna), with which they diverged about 2-3 million years ago. In addition, genetic analysis showed that about 80% of alpacas and about 40% of llamas are hybrids.

How did people learn to make fabrics from alpaca fleece?

When the Spanish conquered America, they took Peruvian alpaca fleece fabrics to Europe. Europeans were impressed: the materials differed in softness, density and complex patterns. But they themselves did not know how to handle this fleece and produce fabrics from it.

As a result, Salt found a way to process this material: he began to produce fabric with a soft sheen from alpaca fleece, which immediately became popular with fashionistas. Elegant women's dresses were especially popular. The novelty quickly conquered the market, and the fabric was named after the raw material origin – alpaca.

Fragment of ancient alpaca fleece fabric made in Paracas style – this is the name of a traditional ornament common on the同名 peninsula. In the 1920s, archaeologists found a necropolis with mummies covered with such fabrics there. In the center of the composition is a figure in a golden crown, known as the "eyed being" (Oculate Being), presumably depicting a deity or guardian spirit. People and snakes are depicted around it. The item dates from the 6th-3rd centuries BC and is stored in the National Museum of Archaeology, Anthropology and History of Peru in Lima.

Alpaca is a tylopod ruminant from the camel family, famous for its warm and soft fleece. These animals originate from South America, mainly from mountainous areas, where about three million alpacas now live. More than 85% of the population is concentrated in Peru. In appearance, alpacas resemble llamas or miniature camels. These animals have long been domesticated and are widely bred in agriculture, mainly for fleece from which clothes are made.

The habitat of these animals is the mountains of Peru, Chile, Bolivia and Ecuador. The main range is located at altitudes from 3,500 to 5,000 meters above sea level. Their fleece is good protection from heat and cold. Alpacas living in the highlands of the Andes are adapted to harsh conditions, where temperature differences between day and night are very large (during the day – up to 24 degrees warm, at night – up to 20 degrees frost). Alpaca fleece plays a key role in their ability to survive in such conditions. It not only retains heat, but also effectively removes moisture, preventing overheating.

Alpacas are able to exist in the difficult natural conditions of the highlands, can easily climb mountain slopes and cross mountain rivers. As their main feed, they consume grasses, leaves, young shoots and mosses.

Today these animals are bred not only in South America, but also in New Zealand, USA, Europe. Alpacas were officially brought to Russia in 2011. Thanks to thick fleece, they tolerate cold well and successfully adapt to the most different climatic conditions. To the question where alpaca is located, it can be answered that in many corners of the globe thanks to their widespread breeding.

First of all, alpaca fleece is 3 times stronger and 7 times warmer than sheep fleece.

An important difference from merino fleece is the absence of lanolin and other animal fats. Thanks to this, dust mites do not settle in the fiber, and the fleece itself does not cause allergies associated with them. Such hypoallergenic properties make alpaca products suitable for bedrooms, children's rooms or for allergy sufferers. In addition, due to the absence of fat, the fleece absorbs much less dirt – plaids, carpets and other products stay clean longer.

Alpaca fleece is long (up to 20-30 cm), fine, soft, light and at the same time several times stronger than sheep fleece. Average hair diameter is 33-35 microns, and the finest (and most expensive!) fleece has a diameter of only 17 microns. Alpacas are not touched up to two years old, and then they start shearing – only once a year, removing three to four kilograms of fleece.

After shearing, fleece is sorted manually – in the traditional way. Usually women do this: they sort fibers by color and thickness. According to the International Alpaca Fleece Producers Association (IAA), there are 22 natural shades: from white and black to gray, silver and numerous shades of red and brown.

Interestingly, the word "alpaca" itself comes from the Aymara language and means "yellow-red" – what we call terracotta today. Black alpacas are rare, so their fleece is especially valued and costs more.

Peruvians dye white fleece today just as they did hundreds of years ago – with natural dyes obtained from local plants. Colors are predominantly bright: red, yellow or blue. Cieza de Leon wrote that Indians have "magnificent dyes of crimson, blue, yellow, black and other colors, truly superior to Spanish ones".

As of 2019, more than 4500 tons of alpaca fleece were produced annually in Peru. The main part goes for export. According to ADEX, in 2010 alone, raw materials were supplied to 34 countries. In recent years, the largest buyers have become China, Italy and South Korea. Finished products are also mainly sold abroad: domestically it is considered expensive – a pure alpaca sweater can cost several hundred dollars.

Alpaca with its owner in natural environment – in the Andes, at an altitude of more than 4000 meters. Most alpacas are sheared on highland pastures

We donate all fleece obtained from alpacas in the park to charity.

The optimal way to keep alpacas on a farm is semi-free grazing. One hectare of pasture is enough for 10-25 individuals, where animals can calmly stay in the warm season. The area is important to clear from poisonous plants in advance. Additionally, you can sow clover and alfalfa – they are well eaten and enrich the diet.

It is recommended to sow clover and alfalfa. An adult alpaca eats from 1.5 to 2% of pasture grass in relation to its own body weight (1.5-2 kilograms). Pregnant and nursing animals eat more grass or hay. Good quality legume-grass hay is recommended for alpacas. One adult alpaca eats about 500 kilograms of hay per year. About 25 alpacas can graze on one hectare of pasture.

When kept in a pen (enclosure), free access to good hay is necessary. Alpacas willingly eat tree branches (willow, birch, pear, apple and acacia). The main feed consists of compound feeds: oats, barley, muesli. Apples, carrots and pumpkin are given as treats.

The alpaca body is well adapted to processing plant food. Unlike other ruminants, they do not have four, but three stomach compartments. Most of the day, animals spend eating roughage with low nutritional value.

To make the diet complete, you need to add special vitamin-mineral complexes developed specifically for alpacas. Vitamins B and C are especially important.

Some plants are poisonous to them – for example, garden jasmine and lilac, so it is important to monitor the feed composition!

It is also necessary to regularly shear animals, treat them for parasites, monitor the condition of teeth and claws – trim them if necessary.

Vaccination (including rabies and anthrax) and periodic deworming are mandatory.

Alpacas are often used in animal therapy – they work with elderly people, children with developmental disabilities and people with depression. Thanks to their calm character and friendly appearance, these animals help reduce anxiety and restore emotional background.

Crossing alpaca and llama produces hybrids called huarizo. They have good fleece, and their appearance makes them popular home pets. However, such animals are infertile.

Interestingly, the word "alpaca" is not declined by numbers and cases.

In Taipei (Taiwan) there is a coffee shop Oia where alpacas live next to the hall. Visitors can feed them carrots, pet them and take photos.

In China, an alpaca named Tuobaivan lives in the office of a film studio – it helps employees relieve stress. The animal has become a social media star.

Alpacas are often used as guard animals – they can protect sheep from foxes, dogs, crows and other predators. Even one individual copes with guarding 50-60 sheep, and a pair – with a flock of up to 250. In case of threat, alpacas kick, spit and can trample the attacker. They perceive sheep as part of their herd, especially during lambing – at such times, lamb survival rate increases by about 13%.

In addition to sheep, alpacas are able to protect goats and even chickens. They get along easily with horses, but do not like dogs.

Animals are calmly trained to a halter and can carry light packs. But you cannot ride alpacas – they are not designed for this!