|
|
Frequently Asked Questions
|
Alpacas originated from the Andes Mountains of South American in Bolivia, Chile, and Peru.
There are two different types of alpaca known as suri and huacaya. Suri alpaca have fiber that grows very long and forms silky locks. Huacaya alpaca have short, dense, crimpy fleece, giving it a somewhat woolly appearance.
Originally the ancient Incan Royalty used the fiber for clothing. Now a large variety of clothing, blankets and rugs are made from alpaca fleece.
The alpaca were originally imported into the United States and Canada in 1984 from Bolivia, Chile, and Peru. Only the best bloodlines were brought to these countries and the gene pool has only gotten better over the years.
Spanish conquistadors in the 17th century killed a large part of both the Incan and alpaca populations, driving the survivors to the Altiplano to seek refuge in the high mountain plains. The high altitude and harsh landscape ensured only the hardiest of these creatures survived, and these ancestors of today's best bloodlines have provided a gene pool dense agile animals with high quality fiber.
Alpacas are a member of the camelid family, which also includes dromedary and Bactrian camels, llamas, vicunas, and guanacos.
They are a modified ruminant and chew their cud similar to a cow, although they have three stomachs rather than the true ruminant, which has four. Alpacas selectively graze, eating pasture grasses and hay, a fact that makes feeding alpacas relatively inexpensive. A daily mineral supplement rounds out their diet.
With soft padded feet they are very gentle on pastures, and they have no top teeth in the front.
An average height for an alpaca is 36" at the withers, and they weigh from 100 to 175 pounds. Alpacas are small and gentle enough to travel short distances in a family van and easy to handle.
With a life span of around 20 years, alpacas can be enjoyed for some time. Not only do they have a long reproductive life, they will provide fleece for a lifetime.
An alpaca's gestation period is 11 to 12 months, and they have single births and twins are very rare. A baby alpaca is called a cria and will weigh between 15 and 20 pounds.
Alpaca fiber comes in 22 colors that are recognized by the textile industry, and there are many blends in addition to that. Alpacas are shorn for their wonderful fleece each year, which will produce 5 to 10 pounds of soft, warm fiber that is turned into the most luxurious garments in the world.
|
|
|
How many colors does alpaca fiber come in?
Alpacas come naturally in 22 color variations; the spectrum includes white, fawn, brown, gray and black, with all the natural shades in between. Alpaca dyes beautifully and is available in a variety of dyed colors. The color spectrum is as vast as your imagination if you choose to dye your own yarn.
|
