The Alpaca (Vicugna pacos) is a domesticated species of South American camelid and resembles a small llama. 

It was thought they evolved from the wild guanaco but DNA testing has shown they evolved from the wild Vicuña.

Standing around a metre high at the shoulder, alpacas are smaller than their cousin the llama and have straight ears and stubby tails.  The two breeds can interbreed and produce fertile progeny.  They produce a heavy fleece of fine strong fibre that comes in a variety of colours including whites, fawns, browns, blacks and greys.  Alpaca fibre is world renowned for its soft handle and lustre and is often compared to fine merino and cashmere. Each animal can produce between 3.5 and 6 kilograms of fleece annually. There are two types of alpaca:

HUACAYAS - The huacaya accounts for over 97% of the world’s alpaca population and is characterised by a thick dense fleece growing perpendicularly from the body.  Good huacaya fibre has a soft handle, brightness of sheen and frequently has a defined crimp throughout the blanket area.

SURIS - The long silky fibre of the rare suri – it is estimated there are less than 200,000 suris in the world -  grows parallel to the body and hangs in long, separate locks. The prized fibre commands a premium price on the world fibre market.

Alpacas are rarely eaten and are bred primarily for their fleece. These attractive animals can fetch quite high prices but can have significant advantages for small block owners.  They require a low level of care and are easily maintained animals which can survive on grass and water. They defecate in selected areas and their padded hooves are easy on fragile pastures. Alpacas are modified ruminants, not only eating less grass than other animals but converting it far more efficiently. Alpacas can get facial eczema and Johnes Disease.