The alpaca is a domesticated member of the camelid family, and a cousin of the llama. Alpacas come in a broad spectrum of colors of very luxurious fiber, more than any other livestock. They grow to weigh about 150 pounds and can live 25 years or more.
Alpacas are native to the harsh mountainous regions of the South American Andes.
Here, they developed the ability to live on low protein vegetation and only the strongest survived. The result is a very hardy and tolerant animal. There are two types of breeds of alpacas, the Huacaya and the Suri. The Huacaya fleece has a very definite wavy quality, or crimp, which enhances its value in textiles. Alpacas are safe and do not bite or butt.