Fun Facts about Alpacas

• Alpacas were developed in South America and are members of the camel family.
• Alpacas were most likely domesticated from a wild animal called a vicunya.
• Alpacas are raised for their fiber which is a luxury fiber like cashmere and comes in more natural colors than any other fiber animal.
• Alpacas eat grass or grass hay and are not expensive to keep.
• Alpacas are herd animals and do not like living alone.
• Alpacas are shy and their main self defense is to run away if they get scared.
• Alpacas can live in small pens and tolerate a stocking rate of 5 per acre.
• Alpacas are sheared once a year.
• Alpacas live for twenty years or more.
• Alpacas have one baby per year; gestation is 11 to 11.5 months.
• Alpacas are great with kids and are a wonderful animal for the small farm.