Alpacas originated in South America and are a member of the Camelid family.  It is believed that they were created through selective breeding, heavily influenced by the Vicuna.

                                     Camel                                                    Llama                                                   Vicuna

                                                           Guanaco                                                     Alpaca

During the Spanish Conquest, close to 90% of the alpaca herd in South America was decimated in order to subjugate the native people.  Incans took the remainder of their herds to secret locations to preserve them.

                            Photo Courtesy of Mulberry Alpacas, LLC                                      Photo Courtesy of Shelales.com

In the mid 1800’s, an Englishman re-discovered the wonders of alpaca fleece , and in 1983, the first alpacas arrived in America.

                                               *Alpacas originate from Peru, Bolivia and Chile

                                               *Alpacas live from 15- 20 years

                                               *Alpacas weigh between 100-200 lbs.

                                               *Average gestation is 335 days with a single baby (cria) being delivered

                                                   during daylight hours

                                               *Alpacas are generally hardy, surviving on grass and hay all year

                                               *Alpacas are shorn once a year in the spring

                                               *Alpacas do not have hooves, but pads similar to a dog’s

                                               *Alpacas do not have top teeth, but a hard gum to chew their cud

                                               *Alpacas eliminate in a communal area in the pasture/barn

                                               *5-10 alpacas can be pastured per acre

                                               *Alpacas come in over 22 basic colors

                                               *Alpaca fiber is as soft as cashmere and stronger/warmer than

                                                   wool

                                               *There are two types of Alpacas - Suri and Huacaya.   Suris have

                                                   long locks, while Huacayas appear "fluffy"

                                                Huacaya                                                                            Suri

Cornerstone Farm Alpacas, LLC ~Daren & Chris Wingard~(757)-651-6335

info@cornerstonefarmalpacas.com