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Alpaca Gold Association |
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About Alpacas Alpacas
were a cherished treasure of the ancient Incan civilization and played a central role in the Incan culture that was located
on the high Andean Plateau and mountains of South America. Alpacas were first imported to the United States in 1984. Alpacas
are now being successfully raised and enjoyed throughout North America and abroad. There are two types of alpacas - the Huacaya
and the Suri. The lifespan of the alpaca is about 20 years and gestation is 11.5 months. Alpacas eat grasses and chew a cud.
Adult alpacas are about 36" tall at the withers and generally weigh between 100 and 200 pounds. They are gentle and easy
to handle. Alpacas don't have incisors, horns, hooves or claws. Clean-up is easy since alpacas deposit droppings in only
a few places in the paddock. They require minimal fencing and can be pastured at 5 to 10 per acre. Alpacas produce one of the world's finest and most luxurious natural fibers. It is clipped from the animal without
causing it injury. Soft as cashmere and warmer, lighter and stronger than wool, it comes in more colors than any other fiber
producing animal (approximately 22 basic colors with many variations and blends).This cashmere-like fleece, once reserved
for Incan royalty, is now enjoyed by spinners and weavers around the world.
Alpaca Gold Association works with and supports organizations
such as Alpaca Owners and Breeders Association(AOBA), California Alpaca Breeders Association(Calpaca),
and the Alpaca Registry Inc. (ARI). Please click on any of the icons below for more information on these
organizations.
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