There are 16 different natural colors of alpaca fiber ranging from true non-fading black to brilliant white, with roans, pintos, browns, reds, fawns, rose grays, charcoal grays and others in between. Fiber Production Adult alpacas produce about 4 pounds of fleece a year. Shearing occurs once or twice a year. Handspinners, yarn shops and weavers are the major market for clean alpaca fiber. They are used for breeding stock, fiber production, pets, therapy and investments.
Alpacas are ruminants with three-compartment stomachs.
They chew their cud like cattle and sheep. They are very efficient and only eat 2-3 bales of grass hay per month. In most cases, they also require mineral supplements. Alpacas are very gentle and curious. Alpacas will occasionally spit at each other when they are competing for food or trying to establish a pecking order.