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Alpacas are gentle, graceful, intelligent long-necked fur-bearing creatures raised for their warm and luxurious fleece. Members of the camel family as well as Lama, they come from South America where they have existed for thousands of years. Believed to be among the first animals ever domesticated by man, they have been bred and raised for the past 5000 years by the Incas and their descendants. Almost all alpacas are domesticated now. The majority of alpacas found in the Andes Mountains of Peru, Chile and Bolivia where alpacas have adapted to the cold weather at 4000 meters elevation. Alpacas come in two flavors, each with a funny South American name: Huacayas and Suris. These are based on the way the fiber grows on the animal. The Huacaya has a fuzzy teddy-bear-like coat with tightly bunched curls that makes for a somewhat fluffy appearance. The Suri has lengthy flowing fiber that hangs down the side in long silky strings, the locks appearing somewhat like Rastafarian dreadlocks.
FAQ about alpaca: What is the difference between llamas and alpacas? How many alpacas are in the World? Just to compare Australia alone is home to over 120 million sheep, but China for 40 million cashmere goats. What is alpaca lifespan? Alpacas have a lifespan of 20-25 years. Are there wild alpacas? What is Baby Alpaca? How long has alpaca been used as clothing? |
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