An alpaca is a long-haired South American mammal and are the domesticated form of vicuñas, which inhabit the mountain slopes of the Andes in Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia and Chile.
Alpacas are closely related to the llama, a descendent of the guanaco, and both are highly valued for their wool; often called fibre to distinguish it from sheep’s wool.
They are smaller considerably than the llama, with an adult weighing in at about 70kg. Like sheep they are prized not only for their fleece but also for their meat and their skins. The skins being made into carpets - alfombras, quilts - colchas, slippers - zapatillas and dress coats - casacas, whilst their dung is burned as a fuel.

Their fleece is often referred to as 'the fibre of the gods', as it was formally reserved for the Inca nobility and retains its high value.

These slender-bodied and long-legged animals have rather petit heads on top of longnecks and are farmed for their wool and often kept as pets.

They are far more docile than their wild ancestors; although remain alert when around them as when they are distressed, or feel threatened, then they show their ancestral heritage by spitting, which is a common characteristic of the Camelidae family… think camels.
Although its preferred habitat is at altitudes of 3,000-5,000 meters, they can thrive at lower altitudes and are farmed throughout the world and are now a common, if unusual sight, throughout Europe, New Zealand, Australia and North America.
It is thought that the peoples of the Andes began to domesticate them 4-6000 years ago, and they featured in the ancient artwork of the Moche people of Northern Peru.

There are now two recognised breeds, the Huacaya and the Suri. The main difference between the two is the length and fineness of their fleece, which therefore influences the fibres they produce.
The Huacaya breed is more common and has a compact crimpy fleece with shorter fibres compared to the longer fibres of the Suri (which can grow to 15cm per year), giving it a dreadlock appearance.