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Alpaca
Terms: |
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Blanket:
: Part of the alpaca’s coat which extends from the nape of the neck at the withers along the back to the tail and down the flanks to the belly and haunches. It is considered “prime” fleece. The blanket is the primary area in which a fleece is judged. |
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Biopsy Report:
Test designed to give a better understanding of objectively measured fiber traits and how to utilize that information to make informed breeding decisions. |
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Breed:
Is a group of domestic animals with a homogeneous appearance, behavior, and other characteristics that distinguish it from other animals. |
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Camelids: are members of the biological family Camelidae, the only living family in the suborder Tylopoda
(meaning "swollen foot"). Dromedaries, Bactrian
Camels, Llamas, Alpacas, Vicuñas and Guanacos are in this group. Camelids are large animals with slender necks and long legs, and are strictly herbivorous. |
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Clip:
Fiber harvested in a single shearing season. |
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Cria:
A Camelid less than one year of age. |
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Dam:
a female parent. |
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DNA:
Short for deoxyribonucleic acid, is the molecule that contains the genetic code of organisms. This includes animals, plants, protists, archaea and bacteria.
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Fiber:
alpaca fleece is
the natural fiber harvested from and alpaca. |
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Guard
Hair:
Longer, stiffer and thicker fibers protruding from the body. Usually hollow or medullated with a micron count over 60 diameters. |
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Huacaya: A breed of alpaca characterized by crimp/bright fleece which grows perpendicular to the skin. |
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Llama:
The llama is a South American camelid, widely used as a meat and pack animal by Andean
cultures. Many alpaca ranches use them for “guarding” their alpaca. |
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OFDA
2000:
Fiber report which shows the total production growth of the tested sample. |
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Pedigree
Data:
Information on the genotype or performance of ancestors of an animal. |
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Phenotype:
Is the total observable physical traits of an individual animal. |
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Pure
Blood:
An animal of unmixed ancestry. |
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Shearing:
Removal of an alpaca’s fleece. This is usually done once a year. |
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Sire:
Male parent. |
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Suri:
A breed of alpaca characterized by lustrous, silky locks which lie close to the body and hang vertically. |
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| Tui:
An eighteen-month-old alpaca. |
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Alpaca
Facts |
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Colorado Suri and Huacaya Alpacas |
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Yes, alpacas are lovable, huggable and wonderful!
And……………alpacas are indigenous to the Andes Mountains of South America. They are part of the Camelid family which also includes the Llama, Bactrain and Dromedary Camels, Vicuna and Guanaco.
 In South America, the alpaca’s home is the large Altiplano Plateau. The Altiplano spans southern Peru, Boliva and northern Chile. The plateau sits at an elevation of 12,000 feet and is covered in maze-like canyons, marshlands and lakes. The harsh weather conditions of intense sunlight along with blistering winds and freezing temperatures creates the environment that is home to the alpaca.
Alpaca were first imported to the United States in 1984 from South America. Since then, the number has risen to 163,897 Suri and Huacaya alpaca registered with The Alpaca Registry. Worldwide the number reaches 178,250. As you can see from these figures the majority of registered alpaca resides in the United States. Every alpaca coming into the United States or born here is registered by DNA with The Alpaca Registry.
There are two phenotypes of alpacas, the
Suri and the
Huacaya. The
Suri Alpaca is recognized for its pencil-like locks and the luster of the fiber. The
Huacaya Alpaca is known by the “teddy bear” look and the crimp and brightness of their fiber.
Our family, T3 Weavers, uses both the Suri and Huacaya fiber grown on our Colorado ranch in their weaving studio producing beautiful rugs, blankets and sofa throws.
Visit
T3weavers.com
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baby alpaca (cria) |
Alpacas are a gentle, curious herd animal and are very easy to care for. Their diet consists mainly of grass hay and free choice minerals. Normal care would include de-worming (as needed), annual vaccination, nail trimming and yearly shearing of the fiber. The females (Dam) typically deliver a single baby alpaca (cria) without assistance at the end of 11.5 month gestation. The crias are fun and enjoyable to watch. They stay with their moms until weaning at about 5-6 months of age.
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Meg &
Nutmeg and the Three Musketeers |
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