Their fine cashmere-like fleece was once reserved for Incan royalty. These amazing animals provided the food, fuel, clothing and transportation for a civilization that thrived in an otherwise hostile environment. Alpacas have a life span of 20-25 years. Adults weigh 130 to 200lbs. and stand 34-36 inches at the withers. Baby alpacas, called crias , generally weigh 14 to 20 lbs. at birth.
Alpacas communicate through soft humming noises and unique body language.
Today, in Canada, alpacas are raised for their exquisite fibre , and are enjoyed for their delightful personalities as well as their sound investment returns . With the exception of mohair, alpacas produce the strongest animal fiber in the world. As alpaca fibre becomes finer, this unique strength does not lessen, thus making it very desirable. Prized for its unique silky feel and superb handle, Alpaca fibre is highly sought after by the textile makers of Britain, Europe and Japan. Various worsted and woolen mills in western Canada offer custom processing of alpaca fibre carding, blending, dyeing, and processing into yarn.