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FAQ
Answers to the most frequently asked questions.
- Bill Barnett, owner of Alpacas of America, was the first to bring the Alpaca Suri breed to North America.
- Alpacas were a cherished treasure of the ancient Incan civilization and played a central role in the Incan culture that was located on the high Andean Plateau and mountains of South America.
- Alpacas were first imported to the United States in 1984.
- Alpacas are now being successfully raised and enjoyed throughout North America and abroad.
- There are two types of alpacas - the Huacaya and the Suri.
- The lifespan of the alpaca is about 20 years and gestation is 11 months.
- Alpacas eat grasses and chew a cud.
- They are about 36" tall at the withers and weigh about 150 pounds.
- They are gentle and easy to handle.
- Alpacas are safe; they don't bite or butt. Even if they did, without incisors, horns, hoofs or claws, little harm can be done.
- Clean-up is easy since alpacas deposit droppings in only a few places in the paddock.
- They require minimal fencing and can be pastured at 5 to 10 per acre.
- Alpacas produce one of the world's finest and most luxurious natural fibers.
- It is clipped from the animal without causing it injury.
- Soft as cashmere and warmer, lighter and stronger than wool, it comes in more colors than any other fiber producing animal (approximately 16 basic colors with many variations and blends).
- This cashmere-like fleece, once reserved for Incan royalty, is now enjoyed by spinners and weavers around the world.
- Alpaca owners enjoy a strong and active national organization.
- The Alpaca Owners and Breeders Association (AOBA) with a growing number of Regional Affiliates and AOBA sanctioned national committees addressing every aspect of the industry.
- The newly formed Alpaca Fiber Cooperative of North America (AFCNA) accepts fleece from its members, and turns the precious textile into quality alpaca garments and products. Members benefit from a ready outlet for their fiber, while the cooperative works to increase awareness of and demand for this every day luxury.
- The Alpaca Registry has been established to help ensure accurate records and has a state-of the-art system to document bloodlines.
- Alpacas must be blood typed in order to be registered.
- Virtually every alpaca in the U.S. is registered.
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| (c) 2006, Alpacas of America, 1-360-264-7585
16641 Old Highway 99 SE, Tenino, WA 98589 |
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