alpakkaa

Alpakka, commonly called alpaca in English, is a domesticated South American camelid native to the high Andes of Peru, Bolivia, northern Chile and parts of Ecuador, where they have been kept for thousands of years. They are one of the four South American camelids, closely related to the llama, guanaco and vicuña. The domestic alpaca is Vicugna pacos (formerly Lama pacos).

There are two main fiber-bearing types: huacaya and suri. Huacaya fleece is dense and fluffy; suri fleece forms long, silky strands. Alpaca fiber is lightweight, warm and soft, with micron counts typically ranging from about 18 to 25 microns, and it is highly valued for textiles. The fiber is commonly spun into yarns for clothing and home goods.

Rearing and husbandry: Alpacas are herd animals that live in social groups and graze on highland pastures. They prefer cooler climates and shelter. They are generally shorn annually or every other year to harvest fleece. Spitting is used as a defensive behavior, and calm handling is important for breeding and care.

Reproduction and growth: Females reach maturity around 12 to 18 months; gestation is about 11.5 months, typically yielding a single cria. At birth, a cria weighs about 5 to 9 kilograms and is weaned after 4 to 6 months.

Economy and distribution: Alpacas are raised primarily for fleece, which drives local economies in the Andes and has been expanding globally through breeding programs and textile brands. Alpacas are not endangered; vicuñas face conservation challenges, while alpaca farming remains a cultural and economic staple in Andean communities.