The Camelid Family

Alpacas were a cherished treasure of the ancient Incan civilization and played a central role in the Incan culture that was located on the high Andean Plateau and mountains of South America. Alpacas were first imported to the United States in 1984. Alpacas are now being successfully raised and enjoyed throughout North America and abroad. There are two types of alpacas - the Huacaya (pronounced “wah-KI-ah”) and the Suri.  At CnL Paca Farm we raise the Huacaya.

The lifespan of the alpaca is about 20 years and gestation is 11.5 months. (Yes to all you ladies who just felt suddenly ill, they are pregnant for almost a year). They produce one offspring per year called a "cria" and it very rare to have twins.  Adult alpacas are about 36" tall at the withers and generally weigh between 100 and 200 pounds. They are gentle and easy to handle. Alpacas don't have incisors, horns, hooves or claws. Clean-up is relatively easy since alpacas deposit droppings in a concentrated area. They can be friendly or aloof and are happy to just hang out and hum. Since they are prey animals (their only real defense is to run away), they do require fencing. Alpacas eat grasses and chew a cud and depending on your layout, you can have 5 to 7 animals pastured per acre.

Alpacas produce one of the world's finest and most luxurious natural fibers. Our animals are usually shorn once each year in May. Soft as cashmere and warmer, lighter and stronger than wool, it comes in more colors than any other fiber producing animal (approximately 22 basic colors with many variations and blends).This cashmere-like fleece, once reserved for Incan royalty, is now enjoyed by spinners and weavers around the world.

Alpaca owners enjoy a strong and active national organization. The Alpaca Owners and Breeders Association (AOBA) with a growing number of Regional Affiliates and AOBA sanctioned national committees addressing every aspect of the industry. The Alpaca Fiber Cooperative of North America (AFCNA) accepts fleece from its members, and turns the precious textile into quality alpaca garments and products. Members benefit from a ready outlet for their fiber, while the cooperative works to increase awareness of and demand for this every day luxury.

The Alpaca Registry (ARI) has been established to help ensure accurate records and has a state-of the-art system to document bloodlines. Alpacas must be blood typed in order to be registered.