Alpacas

Alpacas are a domesticated member of the camelid (camel) family. The camelid family also includes llamas, guanacos and vicunas from South America and Bactrian and Dromedary camels from Asia and Africa. This family of amimals originated on the plains of North America about 10 million years ago. A common ancestor of the South American camelids migrated to South America about 2.5 million years ago. Two wild species, vicunas and guanacos, have remained and still live in the Andes. It is believed that around 6,000 years ago alpacas were created through selective breeding, which was strongly influenced by the vicuna. We know this by the similarities in size, fiber and teeth between the alpaca and the wild vicuna.

Today, there are about 3.5 million alpacas in the Andean highlands, most of which are found in Peru. Since the first major importation into the U.S. in 1984, the North American herd has grown from just a few alpacas in zoos and private collections to about 120,000 nationwide. Alpacas are also internationally known for their luxury fiber, show and investment animals or simply as pets. Alpacas are now found in Canada, England, Australia, New Zeland, Poland, France, Israel and the U.S.

Alpaca fiber is sheared once each year and can be processed into yarn, roving, designer suits, blankets, sweaters and many other types  of clothing. Alpaca is sought after in the high fashion industry for it's truly fantastic properties. Alpaca fiber is soft as cashmere, lustrous as silk, strong as wool and each fiber is hollow giving it insulating properties like a thermos. Even an extremely thin alpaca blanket is very soft, shiny and warm. Alpaca fiber comes in 28 different natural shades that include white, grey, rose grey, brown, black and many shades in between.

Owning and raising alpacas on a farm provides a rewarding lifestyle, excellent investment opportunities and great tax advantages. Ask us more about alpacas!

Email: timberridgefarm@hotmail.com