The alpaca is a member of the camelid family having its roots in the Andes mountains of Peru, Chile, and Bolivia in South America. They are mild-tempered, gregarious animals with an inquisitive nature and a penchant for bringing delight to their owners.

First imported to the United States in 1984, alpacas are being raised and enjoyed throughout North America and abroad. The alpaca registry is now closed to new imports, maintaining the strength and value of the North American herd.

Most alpacas stand approximately 36 inches tall at the withers (the area where the neck and spine come together) and weigh between 135 and 200 pounds (although I've met some who were clearly taller and larger). Their normal life expectancy is about 20 years.

Alpacas have strong herding instincts and need to have another alpaca as a companion. Females can breed until age 18 or even longer with no issues. They carry their baby, known as a cria, for 11-12 months. The female can be bred for the first time at about 18 to 24 months of age and rebred approximately 21 days after delivery each year. Crias will usually weigh between 12-20 pounds at birth and will remain with their mothers for 5-6 months or until they are 60 pounds. At that time they will be weaned.

Alpaca fleece comes in more than 22 natural colors. The fleece is sheared once a year in the spring so they can stay cool in the summer heat. Alpaca fiber is similar to cashmere in its fineness and to mohair in its strength. It is also warmer, lighter, and softer than sheep's wool. This organic fiber is a natural insulator due to the hollow core in the fiber shaft. Wearing alpaca was once reserved for Incan royalty. Revered for its soft, silky texture, alpaca fiber is light, elegant, lustrous, and 5-to-7 times warmer and substantially more durable than wool. It is naturally flame retardant and water repellent and does not lose its insulating capabilities when wet. It is truly an "elite" fiber.

Alpacas are gentle and easy to handle, especially when halter trained. They are very safe; they do not have upper teeth, horns, hoofs, or claws. Alpacas eat grass and chew their cud. You can pasture 7 to 10  alpacas per acre of land. Cleanup is easy since alpacas deposit droppings in only a few common places in the pasture. The droppings are a gardeners delight and are considered "Alpaca Gold", one of the best fertilizers on the market.