The history of Alpak as a domestic animal goes to ancient times - they began to tame them more than 6,000 years ago.This was done by the indigenous peoples of Peru, for which the Alpaca became not just a source of resources, but part of the culture.It was believed that these animals were born along with the goddess of fertility Pachamama - and since then have always been next to man.

A written mention of them is found already in the middle of the 16th century.In 1553, the Spanish chronicle of Pedro Sesa de Leon described in the book “Chronicle Peru” an animal, which the Indians called Pacos.He noted that outwardly it resembles a sheep or llama, but smaller and covered with thick wool.True, he called him "very ugly." Of course, it is difficult to agree with this - Alpaka today is considered one of the most pretty pets.

In the era of the Incas of the Alpak, they played an important role: they were called “gold And”, because these animals provided people with warm hair, from which they made clothes, and helped to survive in harsh mountain conditions.

For a long time it was believed that the Alpaca was simply the domesticated subspecies of Lama.But DNA studies showed the opposite.Scientists have found that Lama (Lama Glama) comes from Guanicoe, and Alpaka from Vicugna Vicugna, from which they dispersed about 2-3 million years ago.In addition, a genetic analysis showed that about 80% alpacus and approximately 40% lamin are hybrids.

How did people learn to make fabrics from Alpak wool?

When the Spaniards conquered America, they took the percian fabrics from Alpak wool to Europe.Europeans were impressed: materials were characterized by softness, density and complex patterns.But they did not know how to handle this wool and produce fabric from it.

As a result, Salt found a way to process this material: he began to release a fabric with a soft gloss from the alpaca wool, which immediately liked fashionistas.Especially popular are elegant women's dresses.The novelty quickly won the market, and the fabric was called the origin of the raw materials - Alpak.

A fragment of the ancient alpacian wool, made in the paocas style - is the name of the traditional ornament, common on the peninsula of the same name.In the 1920s, it was there that archaeologists found necropolis with mummies sheltered by such fabrics.In the center of the composition is a figure in a golden crown, known as the “Eye Being” (Oculate Being), presumably depicting a deity or guardian spirit.Around him are images of people and snakes.The subject is dated to the VI - III centuries BC and is stored in the National Museum of Archeology, Anthropology and the History of Peru in Lima.

Alpaka is a cornfield from the camel family, famous for its warm and soft wool.These animals from South America, mainly from mountainous areas, where about three million alpacians now live.More than 85% of the number are concentrated in Peru.In appearance, alpaca resembles lamas or miniature camels.These animals have long been domesticated and widely divorced in agriculture, mainly for the sake of the wool from which clothing is made.

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

Alpaca can exist in difficult natural conditions of the highlands, can easily climb the mountain slopes and cross mountain rivers.As the main feed, they consume herbs, leaves, young shoots and mosses.

Today, these animals are bred not only in South America, but also in New Zealand, the USA, and Europe.Alpaca was officially brought to Russia in 2011.Thanks to thick wool, they tolerate cold well and successfully take root in a variety of climatic conditions.When asked where the alpaca is, we can answer that in many corners of the globe due to their widespread breeding.

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

An important difference from merino wool is in the absence of lanolin and other animal fats.Thanks to this, dust mites do not start in the fiber, and the wool itself does not cause an allergy associated with them.Such hypoallergenic properties make alpaki products suitable for the bedroom, children's or allergy sufferers.In addition, due to the lack of fat, the wool absorbs pollution much less - blankets, carpets and other products remain clean longer.

The alpacian coat is long (up to 20-30 cm), thin, soft, light and at the same time several times stronger than sheep.The average diameter of the hair is 33–35 MK, and the thinnest (and the most expensive!) Wool has a diameter of only 17 mk.They don’t touch the alpaca up to two years, and then they start to cut it-only once a year, taking off three or four kilograms of wool.

After cutting, the wool is sorted manually - in a traditional way.Usually women are engaged in this: they sort out the fibers in color and thickness.According to the International Association of Alpak wool manufacturers (IAA), there are 22 natural shade: from white and black to gray, silver and numerous shades of red and brown.

It is interesting that the word "alpak" itself comes from the language of Aimar and means "yellow-red"-what we call Terracotov today.Black alpaca is rare, so their wool is especially appreciated and is more expensive.

The Peruvians today paint white wool in the same way as hundreds of years ago - natural dyes obtained from local plants.The colors are mostly bright: red, yellow or blue.Syes de Leon also wrote that the Indians have "magnificent colors of raspberry, blue, yellow, black and other colors that really have superiority over the Spanish."

As of 2019, more than 4,500 tons of alpaca wool were produced annually in Peru.The main part is exported.According to ADEX, only in 2010 the 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: it is considered expensive inside the country - a pure alpac sweater can cost several hundred dollars.

Alpaca with his mistress in a natural environment - in the Andes, at an altitude of more than 4000 meters.Most alpaca cut on high -mountain pastures

We in the park are transferred to all the wool received from the Alpak to charity.

The optimal way to keep the alpac on the farm is the floor of free grazing.For 10–25 individuals, one hectare of pasture is enough, where animals can be calmly in the warm season.It is important to clean the site in advance of toxic plants.Additionally, you can sow clover and alfalfa - they eat well and enrich the diet.

It is recommended to hook 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). Babile and nursing animals eat more grass or hay.The hay for the Alpak is recommended for good quality bobovo-green.Over the year, one adult alpaca eats about 500 kilograms of hay.On a pasture with an area of one hectare, you can take out about 25 alpaca.

When keeping in the corral (aviary), free access to a good sen is necessary.With the pleasure of alpaca eat branches of trees (willow, apple trees, acacia, pears, birch).The main diet of Alpak is compound feed, which includes barley, oats, special muesli.Apples, carrots, pumpkin are given as a treat.It is forbidden to give avocados, chocolate, animal products, cherries and other bone crops, cabbage, plants of the nightshade (tomatoes, potatoes, eggplant), sweets, peas and beans.It is necessary to give salt or Solonets.

On average, adult alpaca eats from 1.5 to 2% of its weight in the form of pasture grass - this is about 1.5–2 kg per day.Pregnant and lactating females consume more, especially if the main food is hay.It is recommended to give a high-quality bean-ylak hay.For a year, one individual eats about 500 kg.At the same time, the hectare of pastures is capable of ensuring about 25 animals.

If the alpaca is contained in the aviary, they should have constant access to a good sen.In the diet there may also be branches of trees - especially willows, birch, pears, apple trees and acacia.The basis of the feed is compound feed: oats, barley, muesli.Apples, carrots and pumpkin are given as a treat.

The alpacian body is well adapted to processing plant foods.Unlike other gums, they have not four, but three departments of the stomach.Animals spend most of the day to eating gross feed with low nutritional value.

In order for the diet to be full-fledged, you need to add special vitamin-mineral complexes developed specifically for the Alpac.Especially important are B vitamins B and vitamin C.

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

It is also necessary to regularly cut animals, treat parasites, control the condition of the teeth and claws - if necessary, they are cut.

Vaccination (including from rabies and anthrax) and periodic degelminthization are required.

Alpaca is often used in animal therapy - they work with older people, children with developmental characteristics and people with depression.Thanks to the calm character and friendly appearance, these animals help reduce anxiety and restore the emotional background.

The crossing of alpak and llama gives hybrids, which are called Huarizo.They have good wool, and appearance makes them popular pets.However, such animals are barren.

Interestingly, the word "Alpaca" is not inclined by numbers and cases.

In Taibea (Taiwan) there is an OIA coffee shop, where Alpaca lives next to the hall.Visitors can feed them with carrots, stroke and take a photo.

In China, in the office of one film studio lives an alpacus named Tuo Bayvan - it helps employees relieve stress.The animal became the star of social networks.

Alpaca is often used as guard animals - they can protect sheep from foxes, dogs, raven and other predators.Even one individual copes with the protection of 50-60 sheep, and the couple with an Otara up to 250. In the case of the threat of an alpak, they are kicking, spitting and can trample the attacker.They perceive sheep as part of their herd, especially during the period of lambing - at such moments, the level of safety of the lambs increases by about 13%.

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

Animals calmly accustom to the dislike and can wear light packs.But you can’t ride an alpacus - they are not intended for this!