Frequently Asked
Questions...
What's the
difference
between an
alpaca and a
llama?
Alpacas and
llamas are
members of the
camelid family.
Llamas are pack
animals, and
about twice the
size of the
alpaca. Alpacas
grow a prized
coat of fiber,
and are too
small for use as
a pack animal.
And we think the
alpaca is much
cuter than its
cousin, the
llama.
Are there
different kinds
of alpaca?
There are 2
kinds of alpaca
- Suri (rhymes
with jury) and
Huacaya (wha-ki'-ya).
Suri comprise
about 10% of the
world's alpacas,
and Huacaya 90%.
Suri fiber is
long, straight,
lustrous, and
silky, often
shorn every 2
years. Huacaya
fiber is dense,
crimpy, and
warmer than Suri,
and shorn
annually in late
spring. We raise
Huacaya alpacas
at Krystal
Acres.
How is alpaca
fiber different
from sheep's
wool and other
natural fibers?
Alpaca fiber
is as fine as
the finest wool,
and much
stronger. It is
over 5 times as
warm as wool.
Alpaca is very
soft, and is
ideal for
garments worn
next to the
skin. Alpaca
comes in 22
natural colors,
the widest range
of any animal on
the planet. It
is among the
world's most
luxurious
fibers. Most
people wouldn't
be able to tell
the difference
between a
cashmere and
alpaca garment.
What's special
about baby
alpacas?
Alpacas have
a single baby,
called a cria (cree'-ah).
It takes over 11
months for the
baby to develop,
and it weighs
between 14 and
20 pounds at
birth. Labor is
typically short,
from 1 to 3
hours, and
births are
usually daytime
events. The cria
is weaned at
about 6 months.
It is also when
we train them to
lead on a
halter.
Do alpacas spit
like llamas?
Alpacas are
gentle and quite
intelligent.
Spitting is a
communication
behavior between
alpacas, and
they rarely spit
at people unless
provoked.
Can they be
petted?
Alpaca are
herd animals,
and tend to keep
to themselves.
When they are on
halter, they are
trained to stand
quietly and
allow touching.
Given a choice,
they will
usually step
away from
attempts to pet
them.
What sounds do
they make?
The most
common sound
you'll hear is a
soft humming
which indicates
they are unsure.
Mother and cria
hum to each
other for
bonding. When
alarmed, alpaca
alert other herd
members to
danger with a
sharp sequence
of barks.
Amorous males
sing or "orgle"
to the female
during breeding.
How much do they
cost?
Alpacas are
herd animals, so
you need to have
2 for
companionship.
Registered
alpaca range in
price from
$1,000 to over
$100,000,
depending on
gender, age, and
ranking at
national alpaca
shows.
"Pet"
quality,
unregistered
alpacas are from
$500 to $1,000.
These are
usually neutered
males.

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