The Official Website of the Alpaca Owners and Breeders Association Alpacas were a cherished treasure of the ancient Incan civilization and played a central role in the Incan culture that was located on the high Andean Plateau and mountains of South America. Alpacas were first imported to the United States in 1984. Alpacas are now being successfully raised and enjoyed throughout North America and abroad. There are two types of alpacas - the Huacaya and the Suri. The lifespan of the alpaca is about 20 years and gestation is 11.5 months.
Alpacas eat grasses and chew a cud.
They are gentle and easy to handle. Even if they did, without incisors, horns, hoofs or claws, little harm can be done. Clean-up is easy since alpacas deposit droppings in only a few places in the paddock. They require minimal fencing and can be pastured at 5 to 10 per acre. Alpacas produce one of the world's finest and most luxurious natural fibers.