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Alpaca Basics Alpacas are members of the camelid family.  They are ruminants with a single stomach that is divided into 3 compartments. Alpacas and their cousins the Llama were domesticated by the natives of South America over 5000 years ago. Alpacas were first imported to the US in 1984.  As of April 2007 there is a national herd of approximately 110,000 animals. Their life span is approximately 20-25 years, with a gestation period of 11 1/2 months.  The female normally delivers only one cria (baby alpaca) at a time.  Most births take place between 7 AM and 4 PM. They produce a cashmere-like fleece in 22 natural colors.  This fleece is easily dyed and can be combined with silk, mohair and sheep-wool. Alpacas are sheared once a year and produce enough fleeces to produce several warm sweaters or other wonderful garments.  Their fiber has become a luxury fiber and is sought after by the textile makers of Europe and Japan. Alpacas are safe and gentle animals.  They do not bite or butt.  They will spit at each other, but seldom at a human.  Humans do get caught in the cross fire on occasion, especially at feeding time when some alpacas get aggressive about protecting "their" food from other alpacas. The primary thing alpacas eat is just plain grass or hay.  One 60 pound bale of hay will usually feed about 20 alpacas a day.  Female alpacas generally weigh from 120 to 180 pounds while the males weigh roughly 150 to 200 pounds. They graze on grass and weeds, but do not destroy the roots.  They have soft pads on their feet and are pasture "friendly". Alpacas only have teeth on the bottom palate and just a hard gum (dental pad) on the top, against which they crush grain, grass and hay. You can raise approximately 5-10 alpacas per acre. Alpacas are intelligent, beautiful, quiet, clean and easily handled and trained. Common uses include breeding stock, 4-H projects, and pets and even in pet therapy programs. Alpaca herds use a common dung pile and often go at the same time! The alpaca "beans" compost quickly and make an excellent fertilizer. They require minimal shelters, do not challenge fencing and are easily raised in most climates. Alpacas are considered disease-resistant which lowers insurance fees. They can be insured against loss. They do not have to be butchered to make a profit.