Bureau of Animal Health

Llamas / Alpacas

Photo courtesy: Acorn Alpaca Ranch, Millis, MA

Alpacas and llamas are members of the camel family Camelidae. The native population of the Andean Mountain region of South America domesticated these animals several thousand years ago.

Alpacas and llamas, collectively known as lamoids, characterized by slender bodies, have long legs and necks, short tails, small heads and large, pointed ears. Alpacas are smaller than llamas and stand approximately 35 inches high at the shoulder and weigh up to 143 pounds. Llamas stand 47 inches at the shoulder and weigh up to 250 pounds. Both graze on grass and other plants.

They have been traditionally used for transport of people and things, hides and fibers for clothing and other textile articles, and at times they supplied meat and milk products.

The two types of alpacas, Huacaya and Suri, are distinguished by their fiber. Suris have straight wool that forms locks, while the Huacaya's wool is fluffier in appearance and has a crimp. Alpaca wool consists of real hair, not fleece as with sheep and llamas, and ranges in color from pure white to rich brown. 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 22 basic colors with many variations and blends). Spinners and weavers around the world now enjoy this cashmere-like fleece, once reserved for Incan royalty.

Llama wool is found in shades of brown plus pure black and white. Llama fiber is about seven times warmer than sheep wool, thus allowing for lightweight yet warm garments, which are soft and silky. Llamas have no grease or oil such as sheep's lanolin, making it easier to clean and non-allergenic.

Both llamas and alpacas are very curious and enjoy human contact, but can be shy. People are intrigued by their calm nature, intelligence and gentleness. Llamas are good with children and they are used in many 4-H programs in the US and Canada. They can be trained to be in parades, pull carts, visit schools and nursing homes, or just be a friend to spend a quiet afternoon with. Llamas are used in animal-assisted therapy and are routinely taken into hospitals, nursing homes and mental health facilities.

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 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. Virtually every alpaca in the U.S. is registered.