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13.11.2017

Alpaca(lat. Vicugna pacos, camelid family) is a herbivorous domestic animal domesticated by humans more than 6,000 years ago. Unlike , which served the ancient Indian tribes as pack animals, alpacas were used as a source of valuable fur and wool for making warm clothes and shoes.

The ancestors of alpacas are believed to be artiodactyl mammals.Vicuna(lat. Vicugna vicugna), common in the Andes, in Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, and Chile. They are much smaller in size than guanacos (animals that became the ancestors of llamas), but have a greater external resemblance to them.

A characteristic feature of vicunas, unique to this species, is a pair of lower incisors, which tend to constantly grow (as in rodents) throughout the life of the animal. Wild herds of vicuñas live on high mountain plateaus located at altitudes of up to 4500 - 5500 m. Delicate and thick wool helps animals survive in high mountain conditions, where contrasting temperature changes occur.

If the average weight of vicunas is about 50 kg, then their descendants, alpacas, reach 70 kg. Alpacas rarely grow above one meter. The animals are not suitable for cargo transportation, but their wool is recognized as the best in the world for its quality. There are two subspecies of alpacas: Suri (lat. Suri) and Huacaya (lat. Huacaya), which differ from each other in the length and density of the coat. Suri is easily recognized by her long, silky locks of fur that hang almost to the ground. Huacaya wool is not so long, it resembles very soft and delicate plush. Over the course of a year, one animal produces from 3 to 6 kg of raw wool, from which 1 to 3 kg of valuable yarn can be obtained.

Alpacas are considered long-livers - their average life expectancy is 20 - 25 years, the productive period lasts 14 years. The number of alpacas in their natural habitat today is about 3.5 million. Animals feed on herbaceous plants, weeds, leaves and shoots of perennials; on farms, vegetables, fruits and mineral supplements are added to their diet, which has a positive effect on the quality of the fleece. Alpacas have much less food requirements than other farm animals: grazing 25 animals requires a pasture area of ​​1 hectare. In addition, they constantly need fresh water. A physiological feature of these animals is the absence of upper incisors, and therefore they tear off stems with their lips.

Alpacas are diurnal. In the evening they are busy chewing food. Since in the wild animals are accustomed to a herd existence, they usually stay in small groups consisting of several females with cubs and one leader. Female alpacas carry their babies for just over 11 months. Typically, one baby is born (twins happen once in 1000 births), weighing no more than 1 kg.

Alpacas have a very sweet and gentle disposition. Outwardly, they look like long-legged and long-necked sheep. The special structure of their feet, like those of all representatives of the camelid family, has a beneficial effect on the preservation of the natural landscape: alpacas are not able to trample the grass due to the absence of hooves. Attempts to resettle alpacas from the Andes to other mountain regions (Europe, Africa) were unsuccessful. But in farms in the USA, Canada, Europe and Australia, where animals were exported for the purpose of domestication and breeding, there are a significant number of alpacas. So, today the alpaca population in the UK numbers about 10 thousand animals, in Germany and Switzerland there are about 4 thousand, and in Australia – up to 60 thousand. Keeping and caring for alpacas is not difficult: you need to provide them with food, water and build a pen with a canopy or provide other shelter (a clean, unheated room) in case of bad weather.

Alpaca wool is of greatest economic importance. It is distinguished by its purity, fine fiber and durability. The natural color of the coat varies from white, cream, beige to brown and black, and has up to 52 shades (according to Peruvian classification).

Alpaca wool is highly resistant to weather conditions, so it can remain uncontaminated for a long period of time. It does not contain lanolin, is lightweight, durable, has high thermal insulation, water-repellent, and hypoallergenic properties. Alpaca wool is used to make high-quality home textiles, characterized by lightness, soft fiber and excellent warming effect (blankets, rugs, bedspreads), fabrics, yarn and clothing.

In addition to wool, the skin and fur of these animals are very valuable. The excellent taste of alpaca meat also does not go unnoticed. This product has been recognized by nutritionists and chefs as the most delicious, healthy and dietary. 100 g of alpaca meat contains 23 g of protein and a small amount of fat. One adult animal produces up to 23 kg of meat, half of which is intended for preparing sausages, ham, and sausages.

Alpacas are often used as pets. They are distinguished by calmness, goodwill, intelligence and complaisance. They can participate in games with disabled children, brighten up loneliness for the elderly, and serve as a means of psychotherapy for those who suffer from depressive disorders.

Six thousand years ago, people tamed the wild llama and gave it the name alpaca. Looking at a photo of an alpaca, it is impossible to imagine that this cute face could be a wild animal.

Science says alpacas are descended from. Both of these animals are distant relatives. The first mention of alpacas appeared a thousand years before the construction of the Egyptian pyramids in the city of Giza. Just imagine how ancient this animal is!

What does an alpaca look like?

This animal grows no more than 104 centimeters in height. The alpaca's weight is also not large - from 55 to 65 kilograms.

The main advantage of this domesticated llama is its fur. If you look at the photo of the animal, it is not difficult to guess why people value it. The alpaca resembles a curly sheep, so cute, with funny curls all over its body. Alpaca wool can be of different shades: from light, almost white, to brown.

Where does the descendant of the vicuña live?

The home territory of this mammal is considered to be South America. The alpaca gets along well in the forests and mountains of Argentina, Peru, Bolivia and Chile. But the territory of the South American continent is only the original area; alpacas are currently bred all over the world.

What does an alpaca eat and how does it behave?

These animals lead a herd lifestyle. All active life activities take place during daylight hours. When night falls, the animals go to rest. And they have reason for this: in the evening, alpacas need to chew all the food they have eaten during the day, because these animals are ruminants.

Listen to the alpaca's voice

As already mentioned, alpacas feel comfortable in mountainous areas. They are protected from the cold by thick fur, thanks to which the animals are not afraid of temperature changes.

Alpaca is a herbivore.

Alpacas feed exclusively on plant foods. They eat bushes, weeds, grass, tree branches and leaves.

How do alpacas reproduce?

The social organization of these mammals is such that during the mating season, some kind of harems are formed. The leader male, who has designated himself as a leader, can mate with all the females from his “harem”. There are frequent cases of fights and fierce battles for leadership in such a marriage community. This process can be observed quite often, because the mating season for alpacas lasts all year round.

Alpaca is a descendant of the vicuña.

A fertilized female South American domestic llama carries her baby for about 11 months. After the allotted period, one baby is born, who is able to stand on his feet in just an hour.

When born, an alpaca baby weighs one kilogram, but after nine months, the babies reach a weight of 30 kilograms. Such rapid growth occurs, among other things, due to prolonged feeding with mother's milk.

When a baby alpaca is born, its fur is a soft cream color. But sometimes, with age, the coat color becomes darker.

A female alpaca bears offspring only once every two years. In the wild, these cute curly-haired llamas live up to 25 years. When alpacas are kept for agricultural purposes, their life usually ends at the age of seven.

Peruvian llama wool is used to produce high-quality material that has many useful properties. Alpaca fabric is incredibly warm, durable and lightweight. Products made from it are recommended to be worn by patients with rheumatism and osteochondrosis, as well as by everyone who wants to feel comfortable even in the cold season. How to care for alpaca wool clothing? What are the features of this material?

History of appearance

The first to domesticate the cloven-hoofed animal, the “sister” of the familiar sheep and llama, were the Incas, the inhabitants of the South American Andes. Alpaca wool was a kind of currency and was highly valued by the inhabitants of Ancient Peru. But the Spanish colonists brought their customs to the conquered territory, and the pastures where the alpacas grazed were filled with sheep.

Products made from valuable wool returned to mass use only in the late 80s of the last century. Along with other goods from Chile, animals began to be imported into the United States. Thanks to this, the whole world learned about the magnificent properties of alpaca fabric.

Today, Peru supplies about 4 million kg of wool per year to all corners of the world. This is not much, because one animal is sheared only once every two years. The fibers are sorted, cleaned and processed by hand. Therefore, the cost of such raw materials for the production of material and tailoring is quite high.

Fabric production

Alpacas are bred on farms. Albino animals, whose snow-white fur is especially highly valued, were bred through selective breeding. The most common natural colors are black, dark brown and gray.

From one individual, up to 3 kg of valuable raw materials are obtained, which is processed manually in the following order:

1. sorting;
2. cleaning from dirt;
3. weaving yarn;
4. washing finished fabric;
5. coloring.

Modern technologies have made it possible to somewhat simplify the process and reduce the cost of the material. So, you can find fabric made or. Today, the market offers a wide range of alpaca clothing, carpets, blankets and accessories. You will be surprised, but even summer clothes are made from this wool, because it not only retains heat, but also keeps you cool. Probably the only drawback of these products is the price is much higher than that of analogues made from llama or sheep.

How is alpaca wool different from llama wool?

An alpaca is a cloven-hoofed animal; in appearance it differs from a llama in its less elongated muzzle, characteristic “bangs” and much smaller size. Its fur is softer and denser, growing in one layer.

Raw materials for fabric production are obtained from the following alpaca breeds:

• Huacaya is the most common type, providing valuable fibers to almost the entire yarn market;
• Suri is a valuable breed; there are just over 100 thousand heads in the world.

Suri wool material is used by world-class designers; clothes made from it cannot be found in mass production. Fiber is classified by diameter. The softest raw material is baby (22–25 microns), the thinnest is royal alpaca (19 microns). The diameter of the wool of an adult animal is 32–35 microns; dense fibers are used in the production of coat fabric and blankets.

Properties

Alpaca wool fabric has the following properties:

• noble shine;
• homogeneous silky structure;
• lack of specific odor;
• pleasant soft texture;
• ability to retain both heat and cold;
• high strength and wear resistance;
• hypoallergenic;
• ability to repel water and dirt.

Products made from such fabric are worn for a long time; pills and creases do not form on the surface. A wide range of natural shades allows you to almost never use dye in production. The most significant advantage of clothing made from alpaca wool is excellent thermoregulation. In such a cardigan, coat or jacket you will be comfortable in any weather - both in frost and under the rare autumn sun.

Products made from alpaca wool have the ability to retain dry heat and allow air to pass through. Therefore, doctors recommend clothes and blankets made from this material to everyone who suffers from osteochondrosis, diseases of the joints, blood vessels and blood circulation.

We offer a small comparative description.

Sheep wool fibers are less durable and retain heat seven times worse. Clothes, carpets and accessories made from alpaca have only one significant drawback - their price is relatively high. But given the excellent qualities and durability of such products, their cost is completely justified. Having learned from your own experience what natural alpaca wool is, you are unlikely to regret the money spent.

Features of care

For such delicate fabrics, dry cleaning is recommended. You can wash it at home by hand, but you should follow certain rules:

• use a mild detergent;
• wash very rarely, only after you have worn the item 5–7 times;
• Considering that the fibers repel dirt, a product made from alpaca wool is quite easy to rinse;
• do not rub or squeeze roughly.

After washing, the item should be gently shaken, straightened on a flat surface and left to dry naturally. You can store it in a closet, on soft hangers or folded. Be sure to protect your products from moths using natural remedies - lavender or tobacco. Naphthalene is not recommended. You can also clean alpaca clothes and blankets with a dry brush.

If you're in Peru...

When traveling to the homeland of the Incas, do not forget to purchase a souvenir made from Peruvian llama wool. Here literally everything is made from this fabric - homespun carpets, bags, ponchos and, of course, clothes. You can also bring home wool for knitting. Its average cost is about $300 per kilogram.

When you buy this season's fashionable hat or cardigan in ethnic colors at a wild market in South America, you can be sure that it is real alpaca, hand-processed. If you don’t have time to travel right now, you can always use the services of online stores and purchase the desired item with home delivery.

All over the world, a close relative of camels and llamas with the adamant name alpaca (m.r.) is valued for its excellent wool, which is considered perhaps the key export item of Peru.

Description alpaca

This humpless camelid is the result of selective breeding to produce a domesticated species with abundant, high-quality hair. Vicugna pacos (alpaca) is classified as an artiodactyl mammal descended from Vicugna vicugna (vicuna or vigon). The vicuña itself belongs to the suborder Callopods from the family Camelidae (camelids).

Appearance

The animals are classified as callosed because of the calloused outgrowth that replaces their feet and hoofs. Their two-fingered limbs are equipped with blunt curved claws, due to which alpacas are forced to walk, relying on the phalanges of their fingers. Thanks to this feature, all calloused animals do not trample the pasture, like sheep or goats. Alpacas have a bifurcated lower lip, no teeth on the upper jaw, and strong incisors (which grow throughout life) on the lower jaw. Due to the absence of upper teeth, animals tear off vegetation with their lips and chew with the help of their lateral teeth.

Differences between alpaca and llama

Both belong to the camelid family, but the alpaca is considered a direct descendant of the Vicuña species, and the llama is considered a descendant of the species. Growing to about a meter tall, the alpaca is usually slightly larger than a sheep, but almost half the size. An adult alpaca weighs 45–80 kg, and an adult llama weighs from 90 to 160 kg. They are also distinguished by the configuration of their muzzle: in the llama it is more elongated, in the alpaca it is flattened. The llama has almost no fur on its face and head, while the alpaca has long, shaggy bangs that cover its eyes. In addition, the llama's head has curved, banana-shaped ears. Alpacas have smaller ears that look like triangles.

On the inside, the coarse llama wool is duplicated with undercoat, which is absent in the softer alpaca coat. In addition, the structure of its wool is denser, which allows you to cut many times more with a smaller processing area. The difference is also observed in the characters. Friendly alpacas are not prone to wantonly kicking, biting and spitting, like llamas do. The latter sometimes move away from the group, while alpacas prefer to stay in the herd.

This is interesting! Both species interbreed, producing the huarizo. The hybrid is obedient and easy to control, however, it does not have the hardy back of a llama and the amazing wool of an alpaca, and besides, it is not capable of reproduction.

And one last thing. Alpacas are protected as the main producers of unique wool, which is why they are not used as pack animals (unlike llamas). It is said that llamas are even entrusted with shepherding duties to look after the alpacas.

Wool

Alpaca has a soft long fleece that hangs 15–20 cm at the sides, which is used for felt, fabric or yarn. Animals are shorn in the same way as sheep, but the resulting wool is 3 times stronger and 7 times warmer than sheep's wool. The color palette includes over 52 (!) natural shades, the most popular (but not rare) among which is white, as it is easier to dye.

Albino fleece is in high demand and is sold at a higher price, which is why white alpacas are more profitable to breed. Wool sheared from young animals is especially valued, despite its relatively small volume (up to 1 kg in 2 years). For reference, an adult alpaca gives approximately 5 kg.

Properties of alpaca wool:

• does not contain lanolin (the fat present in sheep's wool);
• hypoallergenic (dust mites do not grow in it);
• the hair is soft and does not prick, like sheep;
• resistant to external pollution;
• extremely light;
• repels moisture well.

All these qualities together turn alpaca wool into a valuable product, whose derivatives are distinguished by practicality, brightness, cleanliness, comfort and durability.

Important! Carpets, rugs and bedspreads made from alpaca wool do not lose their pristine purity for a long time. Knitted and fabric clothes with the “Alpaca” label do not fade, do not pill, keep you warm in cold weather and cool in hot weather.

It is not surprising that people are increasingly purchasing products without paying attention to their high cost.

Character and lifestyle

Tourists think that animals lead an absolutely free lifestyle, but this is not so. Some alpacas are kept on special farms, while others (periodically caught for shearing) have adapted to a semi-wild existence and free high-mountain grazing.

Life in nature

Alpacas group in small herds, usually consisting of a single male and 4–10 females. The family has a strict hierarchy with rejection of outside males and internal struggle for rank. Animals are awake during the day and rest at night: at this time they intensively digest the food eaten during the day. Alpacas use body language to communicate with others, including ear tilt, neck rotation, and body posture.

Members of the herd are quite lenient towards each other and rarely get angry. As a rule, they run away from danger. Despite their adaptation to mountains, alpacas (unlike mountain goats) can only graze in horizontal areas with a large area. Survival in harsh high-altitude conditions (with a temperature difference of 30 degrees) is ensured by the remarkable characteristics of the fur, as well as the structure of red blood cells. Like other calloused animals, alpaca red blood cells are not round, but oval, so there are a lot of them. Due to the increased content of red blood cells, animals breathe easily even in thin air.

Alpaca and man

In captivity, alpacas quickly get used to people, demonstrating their best traits - curiosity, peacefulness, shyness and charm. In terms of character, they are more reminiscent of cats, since they approach a person based on their own desires. Like all camelids, alpacas periodically spit, but they do this much less frequently than llamas, and usually out of necessity, to free themselves from unpleasant stomach acid.

This is interesting! Spitting is mostly directed at fellow herd members and very rarely at unsympathetic people. Females in an interesting position “shoot back” with saliva from especially lustful males encroaching on them.

In general, alpacas are smart and clean creatures that relieve themselves in public toilets (equipped on farms). Animals love water, where they often frolic, swim or just lie. From time to time they make funny sounds that resemble the quiet bleating of a sheep. A fleeing alpaca signaled the Incas about danger, after which they had to repel the attack of a predator or join the artiodactyl. Nowadays, alpacas successfully participate in pet or animal therapy sessions, having a beneficial effect on children and adults.

How long do alpacas live?

According to some reports, only conditionally domesticated animals, which spend most of their time in the mountains, live relatively long - up to 20–25 years. In domestic alpacas bred on farms, the lifespan is reduced threefold - to 7 years (insufficiently confirmed information).

Types of alpaca

Breeders have developed two species, distinguished by the texture/structure of the fleece - Huacaya (Huacaya) and Suri (Suri). Since the first species is more common, it is Huacaya that is usually called the general term “alpaca”. Huacayas have short coats where the hair grows perpendicular to the skin, giving the animals the appearance of plush toys.

Suri, with its long soft fleece intertwined at the bottom into dreadlocks, is an exclusive (5% or 120 thousand heads) and the most valuable (twice as expensive as Huacaya) variety of alpaca. It was Suri's wool that was once used for outfits for crowned persons. The Suri fleece (against the background of Huacaya) looks thicker and more uniform. There are no guard hairs that reduce the quality of the fur, but there are fine straight hairs (19–25 microns) with slightly curled ends.

Range, habitats

Peruvian Indians began domesticating the alpaca's ancestors about 6 thousand years ago. According to legend, the fleece of animals (who valued even their dung for fuel) received the allegorical name “fiber of the gods.”

And in our time, alpacas, the vast majority of which inhabit Peru, remain an important source of income for modern Indians. In addition, the animals live in northern Chile, Ecuador, western Bolivia and Argentina. Alpaca herds roam the Peruvian highlands (800 m above sea level) and graze in the highlands of the Andes (at an altitude of 3.5–5.0 thousand m), reaching the border of snow with sparse vegetation.

Alpaca diet

It is almost no different from the diet of a horse - alpacas are unpretentious and are often content with young grass. 6-10 animals can graze on one acre.

The menu usually includes:

• herbaceous plants;
• shoots;
• leaves;
• salt licks.

Looking for the freshest and most nutritious plants, artiodactyls carefully examine the high mountain plateaus and move extremely slowly. If necessary, the herd migrates to more fertile areas. Wealthy farmers often enrich the range of pasture by planting clover or alfalfa in the meadows, as well as adding minerals and hay to the alpaca’s diet.

When feeding, several points must be observed:

This is interesting! The emphasis in nutrition is on grass/hay, although the daily amount eaten is small - 1.5 kg per 55 kg of body weight. It is estimated that one alpaca eats approximately 500 kg of hay per year. The amount and composition of food consumed also depend on age (baby or adult), gender, pregnancy and lactation period.

Alpaca(Vicugna pacos)

Class - mammals
Order - artiodactyls

Suborder - callosopods
Family - camelids

Genus - vicuña

Appearance

The alpaca is smaller than the llama and in body structure is most similar to the sheep, from which it differs in its longer neck and graceful head. Alpacas are 75-95 cm tall and weigh about 65 kilograms. Her fleece is very long and extremely soft; on the sides of the body, the hair reaches a length of 12 - 15 cm. The color is usually either completely white or black, but there are also brown and variegated individuals.

Habitat

Historically, alpacas were bred in the highlands of South America (Andes). Today, about three million alpacas live there, most of which live in Peru. They live in the Andes at an altitude of 3500-5000 meters, in Ecuador, southern Peru, northern Chile and western Bolivia. But over the last 100 years, alpacas have been increasingly bred in Australia. Due to the fact that there are fewer natural pathogens there, alpacas in Australia are often even higher in quality than those in South America.

Captive

Alpaca is found only in a tamed state. Alpacas are raised for shearing wool, from which they make warm and soft blankets, rugs and clothes. And fur is used to make household items.

It is valued primarily for its wool (24 natural shades), which has all the properties of sheep, but is much lighter in weight. There are two types of alpaca - Suri and Huacaya. The former have long hair, in the form of braids, while the latter have wool similar to soft plush. Animal fur is divided into several types: Royal Alpaca - fiber diameter 19 microns, Baby Alpaca - fiber diameter 22.5 microns, Very soft Alpaca - fiber diameter 25.5 microns and Adult alpaca - 32 microns.

Alpaca fur is very durable and has no fat, so products made from it do not get dirty for a long time.

Alpacas, like llamas, cannot be used for carrying weights or other work, since in its stubbornness it is significantly superior to all other members of the family. If you separate one of them from the herd, then she lies down and then there is no longer any possibility, either with affection or beatings; make her get up. Therefore, you can remove an individual from the herd only by adding it to the herd of llamas or sheep.

The life expectancy of an alpaca is 20-25 years.

Feeding

Alpacas feed on herbaceous plants, leaves, shoots, mosses, and salt licks.

There is no universal rule for feeding alpacas because the food must be directly adapted to the environment in which the animals live. Nutrition also depends on whether the alpaca is a baby (CRIA) or an adult, male or female, whether the female is pregnant, and also special nutrition during lactation.

Here are a few points that must be observed when feeding alpacas:

But of course, alpacas mainly eat grass or hay, and their consumption is not that large - about 1.5 kg of hay per 55 kg of their weight. That is, on average, one alpaca eats 500 kg of hay per year. But it should be borne in mind that nutrition should not be stingy; it is imperative to enrich the alpaca’s diet with minerals and vitamins.