Fallowfield Alpacas - About Alpacas

About Alpacas

Alpacas are members of the camelid family and native to South America where they can be seen in large herds in the harsh environment of the high pastures of the Andes. They are fibre-producing animals, as opposed to llamas which are pack animals. Alpacas were domesticated by the Incas whose breeding programmes produced exceptionally fine fleeces, which were highly prized by Incan Royalty.

Alpaca fibre was first introduced into Britain in 1836, when an innovative woollen merchant, Sir Titus Salt, began buying up all the alpaca fibre which was coming into the country and manufacturing luxurious cloth. Queen Victoria was known to be particularly fond of alpaca cloth. Sadly, the business empire built by Sir Titus, collapsed shortly after his death in 1879 at the time of a widespread decline in the textile industry in this country.

Alpacas weigh between 55 and 90 kilos, reaching approximately 76-96cm at the shoulder. They come in a wide range of natural colours, black to white and everything in between. There are two basic alpaca breeds, Huacaya and Suri. The Huacaya which has a sheep-like wooliness and the Suri which as long spiral locks.