Alpacas and llamas are both members of the camelid family, so they are closely related. Alpacas are about half the size of llamas. Alpacas have shorter faces and smaller, spear-shaped ears (compared to banana-shaped ears of llamas). Alpacas produce softer fibre than llamas.

There are two types of alpacas. Most breeders in South Africa keep the Huacaya (wah-ki-ah), with very few Suri (sur-ee) alpacas around.

The Huacaya alpaca looks like a smaller version of a llama (and almost like a sheep with a long neck). The Suri alpaca’s fibre grows quite along and form silky locks (almost like an angora version of an alpaca).

A male alpaca is called a macho (or herdsire), while a female is called a hembra.

A baby alpaca is called a cria, and then a tui when it turns one year old.

The average lifespan of an alpaca is 15 years, but with proper care and attention, they can live up to 25 years – which makes alpacas a long-term investment.

Alpacas are strictly herd animals and need to be kept with their own kind. They become very lonely and can literally die of depression if not part of a herd.

A herd can be as small as three alpacas of the same gender, but that would be the minimum.

Alpacas are gentle animals, but easily startled and nervous around strangers. They do not bite (they only have bottom teeth, like a sheep) or butt, but are known to spit (more often each other than humans).

As with all animals, it is recommended to not approach an alpaca from behind, as they may kick backwards or sideways, if aggravated. Usually, to avoid being handled, they’ll just quietly move away.

Alpacas are not aggressive and won’t seek out an opportunity to spit. They usually spit each other (over food). Their green spit balls smell horrible and they always seem to regret spitting afterwards, as it obviously also leaves a very unpleasant taste in their mouths.

Alpacas are highly intelligent animals and each one’s personality is different. They are generally gentle and inquisitive. They prefer to be with their own kind and tend to be nervous around strangers.

Alpacas are generally considered livestock, not pets. You’ll probably have a better chance of getting a “nose kiss” than be allowed to touch or stroke them. However, they are trainable and respond well to walking on a leash with a face harness, which offers a better chance of touching them.

They would usually tolerate you to touch them in passing, but would normally not stand still to be petted and caressed.

Alpacas are kept mainly for their very high quality fibre, which is as soft as cashmere, and much warmer, lighter, and stronger than wool.

Their fibre comes in more colours than any other fibre – 22 basic colours, with many variations and blends. Their fibre can be spun (for knitting), felted, or used as a luxury stuffing in jackets, duvets, pillows and more.

As alpacas are relatively small in size (but big in personality) and non-aggressive, they make great livestock on even small agricultural properties. They are smart and cooperative once they learn a routine.

Alpacas require no frequent grooming and are clean, with a low odour. Their waste is deposited in communal dung piles, which makes cleaning up easy.

Alpacas do not suffer from fly-strike or foot-rot.

Regular care includes trimming their toenails with garden scissors (before they start curling, usually 2-3 times per year, depending on your environment), shearing their fleece once per year, just before summer (usually in October, but often as late as December, in cooler regions), and trimming their teeth with a small grinder (if required).

Alpacas are modified ruminants, called pseudoruminants, and have three compartments to their stomachs (instead of four, like ruminants), called the C-1, C-2 and C-3.

Their stomach very efficiently converts grass and hay to energy. They thus happily graze green pastures and survive quite well on that diet alone, but breeders prefer to supplement with small amounts of maize, lusern pellets, and traditional horse feed once to twice per day.

Alpacas are not known for challenging fences and also won’t wander far, once they get out. However, a good fence is vital to keep them safe from predators (including neighbours’ dogs), as they are prey animals.

A mesh or wooden fence is best, as barb wire can get tangled in their fibre.

Alpacas are very hardy animals and have heavy fleece to keep them warm and dry. They prefer to have a three-sided shelter and to come and go as they please.

Depending on the size of the alpaca and when it was last sheared, you can expect 1½ kg - 4½ kg of fibre – divided between waste (the shorter belly fibre, which is suitable for stuffing and felting), grade 2 fibre (suitable for felting), and grade 1 fibre (longest fibre, suitable for spinning).

Alpacas are induced ovulators and can be bred throughout the year.

A female alpaca can start breeding at the age of 18 - 24 months. The gestation period is 11½ months and they hide their pregnancies exceptionally well. When stressed, they can put their delivery off and deliveries at up to 14 months have been reported.

Males become fertile at the age of 2 - 3 years old.

A baby alpaca (cria) weighs 7 kg - 9½ kg at birth, and will be up and nursing within an hour. They are weaned at around 6 - 7 months of age (or at 4-6 months, if the mom is already pregnant). Females can be rebred as early as 2 - 4 weeks after giving birth.

Alpacas were first imported into South Africa in 2001. As the alpaca fibre industry is thus relatively new, it’s only recently been becoming higher in demand (and production).

Since a female alpaca can only have one cria per year, herd growth is slow, making good quality alpacas quite scarce.