They have soft padded feet which are very easy on the terrain. They have a sensitive lip and can pick up a single grain of wheat without disturbing the surrounding materials. The lifespan of the alpaca is 15 to 25 years. Individual alpacas usually come in solid colors, but that can be anywhere in the full range from white to black. Between 30 and 60 minutes the cria is standing and nursing and then exploring the world within hours.
Infant mortality is very low among domestic alpacas.
The gestation period is 335 days. There are 2 breeds of alpacas. The Huacaya is more common and its fleece has a crimp or natural wave that enhances spinning qualities. It has a fine lustrous fiber with no crimp. The wool is one of the finest and most luxurious fibers known and its use was restricted to nobility under the Incas.