They are so closely related to other South American camelids, namely domesticated llamas and their wild cousins, vicunas and guanacos, that they have been known to crossbreed with them and produce fertile offspring. There are approximately 3 million alpacas worldwide, with the vast majority being in Peru. Females produce one baby a year with a gestation period of about 11 months.
Alpacas typically have few birthing problems.
Alpacas are very hardy, healthy animals , undoubtedly due in no small part to the harsh, unforgiving environment from which they come. In their native environment, freezing cold nights, hot days, hungry mountain lions and months of drought combine to eliminate all but the healthiest animals, ensuring that the gene pool is strong and resilient. Alpacas are raised for their luxurious fiber , which is shorn once a year and produces enough raw material from each animal for several sweaters. The fiber comes in 22 beautiful natural colors, contains no lanolin, requires no chemical scouring, is warmer, stronger and lighter than wool and has a much lower 'prickle factor' than most wool products. Many people who cannot wear wool can wear fine alpaca garments in complete comfort.