Alpacas are mammals belonging to the same family as camels and llamas. They are often confused with llamas but they are noticeably smaller. Native to south America, these animals tend to stick together and did you know, if there is not more than two alpacas they could die because they were lonely! They differ from llamas as they are by their smaller size. They stand approximately 90 cm (35 inches) high at the shoulder and weigh 55 to 65 kg (121 to 143 pounds). The alpaca also differs from the llama in having a rounded but squarer body it has a habit of pressing its tail close to the body, rather than holding it upright like the llama.

The alpaca’s shaggy coat varies in colour from the usual black or brown through lighter shades of grey and tan to pale yellow and white.Alpacas are important for fleece production. During the period of Incan civilisation, the wearing of robes made of alpaca and vicuña fleeces was reserved for the nobility and royalty. The fleece of the suri is fine and silky and grows long enough to touch the ground if the animal. The fleece of the huacaya is shorter and coarser by comparison. The fleece of alpacas are lighter yet warmer than other fleece creating animals!