New Breeders Information
Alpaca Terminology
- Alpaca - a member of the camelid family.
- Huacaya alpaca - Is an alpaca with a teddy bear like appearance. Huacayas make up approximately 80% of the North American alpaca herd.
- Suri alpaca - an alpaca with ringlette-like fiber that drapes down it’s side.
- Cria - a baby alpaca
- Sire (herdsire) - the father
- Dam - the mother
- Fiber - industry term for the hair
- Crimp - the zig-zag like pattern usually found in huacaya fiber.
- Density - the amount of fibers in a given area.
- Orgling - the sound a male alpaca makes before and during the reproduction process.
- Kush - term used to describe an alpaca that is laying down.
Alpaca Facts
- Dam is the mother
- Sire is the father
- Cria is the baby
- Average adult temperature is 99.5-101.5
- Average Cria temperature is 100-102.2
- Life span of an alpaca is 15-20 years plus. Height is 30” to 38” at the shoulder. Adult weight is 100-200 lbs. Birth weight is 15-20 lbs.
- Male alpacas reach sexual maturity at about 2 ½ to 3 years of age. Females at about 18-24 month of age.
- An average gestation period is 335 to 360 days & produces a single baby (cria).
- Babies are usually weaned between 5 & 6 months.
- Alpacas eat a low protein forage and hays. Occasional supplemental feed, vitamins and minerals are provided when needed. An alpaca costs far less to feed than most traditional domestic animals.
- Alpacas are registered at the ARI http://www.alpacaregistry.net
