Alpaca

Our alpacas delight kids and visitors!

While alpacas don’t have much historic relevance to early American agriculture, they are widely raised now, here and abroad, for their highly prized, soft, fine wool. Of the only two breeds of alpacas, Huacayas represent about 80% of the total American alpaca population, and are popular due to their uniquely crimpy and strong fleece. 

Alpacas are descendants of the wild vicuña that were domesticated by the indigenous people of the Andes mountains around 6000 years ago. By selecting for high quality fiber, and a spritely but gentle temperament, they thus created the alpaca. 

Fun Facts:

• Alpacas are very vocal. Most commonly they hum when excited or content, “orgle” to each other when interested in a mate, or sometimes even scream when having a disagreement amongst themselves.
• Alpacas pick one spot in their paddock to use as their “bathroom”. This unusual behavior helps them avoid ingesting parasites while they graze. 
• Alpacas may spit if they feel threatened and feel the need to defend themselves. Be respectful, or else! 

Adore our alpacas? Help care for them year-round! As a Fund-A-Friend Sponsor, your support helps provide essential food, veterinary care, and enrichment to keep them happy and healthy. Click here to learn more!