Dark Suri Alpacas in Peru.
| Species | Camelid (yes, they are related to Camels!) South American Camelids also include the Llama, Guanaco and Vicuña. |
|---|---|
| Breeds | There are two breeds of Alpaca, the Huacaya and Suri. The Huacaya's fleece is wavy this is usually referred to as Crimp; The Crimp enhances its use in spinning. The Suri’s fibre has no Crimp, it is grouped in spiral locks, and is heavier & shinier. It resembles the fleece of Lincoln sheep and the length of Angora goats. About 3% of the worlds Alpacas are Suris. |
| Country of Origin | South America, mostly Chile, Peru and Bolivia. However, Alpacas have been imported into the USA, Canada, mainland Europe, Australia, New Zealand and other parts of the world. |
| Life Span | In the region of 15 to 20 years. |
| Height | About 0.85m at the withers (shoulders) and 1.5m at the head. |
| Weight | About 50 to 75 kg for a fully-grown adult alpaca. They are 6 to 8 kg at birth. |
| Gestation | Usually 11.5 months. Births normally occur during daylight hours and twins are extremely rare. |
| Colours | Alpacas come in 22 natural colours from white through fawns, greys and brown to black; there are many variations and distinctive markings. |
