These creatures were first bred by the ancient Incans over 5000 years ago in the Andean Mountains. Centuries of selective breeding resulted in the finest of natural fibers. Their intelligence and quite, gentle demeanor is captivating. Today, alpacas have bencome an increasingly popular alternate livestock in New England as well as other parts of the country.
Alpacas are environmentally friendly having soft-padded feet and only a set of bottom grazing teeth (great environmental friendly lawn mowers)........they don't "pull" up the grass, they just cut it. Alpacas weigh an average of 160 lbs., so the flake of hay and cup of grain they eat makes them economical to feed. Clean-up is made easy by their use of a communal pile. They only have one birth a year with a gestation averaging eleven months. (whew!).
Their incredible warm fleece takes them through the winter and they are shorn in the spring before the heat of summer. Their wool is used to make a variety of garments, sweaters, hats, gloves, etc. Very warm and soft to the touch.
Aren't they adorable!
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