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ALPACA FACTS
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN ALPACAS AND LLAMAS
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We have been breeding
Alpacas since 1998 in the beautiful countryside of the Marshwood Vale in
West Dorset. As part of our alpaca breeding programme we strive for density, fineness, soft handle and certainty of colour in
our crias (baby alpacas). Our alpaca females have been bred to some of the best
male studs in the country and our crias continue to improve every year.
We now have alpacas of
various ages and colours for sale:
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pregnant females
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empty females
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males for breeding
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males for fleece
We welcome visitors, so
please give us a call if you would like to come and see us down here in
Dorset. Alternatively, you may want to phone us just for a friendly
‘alpaca chat’ - we’re here to help.
ALPACA FACT FILE:
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Alpacas are part of the Camelid
family, i.e. Camels, Llamas (believed to have bred from Guanacos),
Guanacos, Alpacas (descended from Vicuna) and Vicunas (only seen in the
wild, mostly in Peru).
Alpacas are usually
bred for their fleece (producing approx. 3kg each) but in their country
of origin (Chile, Peru and Bolivia) they are also eaten, and their skins
used as rugs etc.
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There are two breeds of Alpaca, the
Huacaya and the Suri. The Huacaya has a dense, fluffy, woolly fleece
whilst the Suri has long flowing silky ringlets.
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Alpacas can be kept at
a rate of 5-6 per acre of good grass.
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Alpacas are very hardy and do not
require expensive housing. A three-sided shelter from the worst of the
rain, snow or sun is all that is required. They usually prefer to be
outside otherwise.
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Alpacas feed on grass,
hay/haylege and some alpaca concentrates in winter. They must, of
course, have clean water at all times.
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Usual husbandry care includes trimming
toenails 3 times per year as necessary; vaccinating against clostridial
diseases and worming 6-monthly; shearing annually, and it is wise
to inject weak crias or crias born late in the year with Vitamins A,D, &
E.
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One cria per year is usual (i.e.
gestation 11.5 months). Crias are usually weaned at about 6
months.
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Alpacas usually give birth in the
daylight hours as in their country of origin the nights are freezing
cold and baby alpacas (crias) need to be dried off before nightfall.
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The mothers don’t lick the young as
cattle and sheep do, the cria rolls in the grass to remove the birth
sack and then sleeps in the sun to dry off naturally.
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Twins have been known
but are very rare and usually one or both fail to survive.
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Females mature at 12 months, males at
15 months onwards although it is usually two and a half to three years
before a male is mature enough to become a full working stud.
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The lifespan of an
alpaca is 15-20 years we are told although we haven’t had our alpacas
long enough to prove this yet!
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Alpacas are intelligent animals and
can easily be halter-trained for show purposes etc.
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Alpacas can be
transported easily and usually sit down for the
whole journey.
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For information on
alpacas for sale please
click here.
For details about
our bed and breakfast accommodation
click here
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Basic Differences Between
Alpacas and Llamas?
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Llamas are taller,
bigger animals being at least 4ft at the shoulder whereas an alpaca is
3ft approximately.
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Llamas are more angular, having a straight back and tail set high.
Whereas alpacas are more rounded cuddly-looking animals. Llamas have
large distinctive banana-shaped ears but Alpacas have symmetrical spear
shaped ears, which come to a point.
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Llamas moult in
spring or autumn each year. However some moult every two years and some
not at all. Llamas can be brushed over this period of moulting and the
fibre used for spinning, or else they can be shorn annually as Alpacas
are.
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Llamas are bred as pack animals and can be used for trekking. Alpacas
are bred purely for the fleece.
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