About Alpacas

Alpaca fleece is shorn off the alpaca once per year. The fleece is used to create yarn, fabric and other products such as sweaters, blankets, rugs, scarves, and shawls. While still soft, alpaca fleece is extremely strong and thus can be made into thin fabric and still remain soft and warm. Alpaca fleece grows naturally on the animals in 22 color classifications and all shades in between ranging from white to black, shades of brown, tan, grays, rose grays and silver grays.

See more in the Alpaca Fleece category.

Alpacas have a breeding lifetime of about 15 years, with females capable of producing one cria per year. The value of the ARI Registered alpaca is high and has remained strong since they were first imported in 1984. Alpacas can vary in price, but are based upon their fleece and confirmation. Males of high quality can be Herdsires, and bring in breeding fees from $2000 to $5000.

See more in the Investment Opportunity category.

Alpacas are cousins to the llama and are part of the camelid family. They are native to the Andean Mountain range of South America, mainly Peru, Bolivia and Chili. They were first imported into the United States in 1984.

See more in the The Camelid Family category.