Alpacas were common in South America until the sixteenth century when the Spanish arrived. They could see nothing admirable in these strange animals and killed the majority of the camelids, driving the rest out of the best farming country to make room for their sheep. The remaining camelids moved up to the altiplano, land above …
Baby Alpacas and the birth experience
With alpaca birthing, the alpaca’s gestation period averages 11.5 months, but may vary from 11 to 12 months. A newborn alpaca is called a cria. Any cria born earlier could well need extra help. We tend to bring our heavily pregnant females close to our house for regular observation six weeks before the 11.5 month …
What’s the difference between Alpacas and Llamas ?
There are Several differences between Llamas and Alpacas, and often people confuse the two. Llamas and alpacas are both in the camelid family hailing from South America. Llamas have long banana-shaped ears while alpacas have straight ears and they are smaller. Llamas are also bigger than alpacas, weighing up to 400 pounds. …
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Where in Ireland can Alpacas be found?
Paul McDonnell owns the largest Alpaca far in Ireland. Hushabye farms in Co.Laois is home or around 60 alpacas. The Irish climate is perfect for alpacas to thrive in as they are used to changeable weather living in temperatures ranging from -40 to +40 degrees Celsius in their native South America. The Ultimate Alpaca …
Suri & huacaya breeds
There is only one species of alpaca – but two fleece types, often referred to as breeds. They are the huacaya and suri alpacas. The huacaya fleece type is commonly described as looking like a “teddy bear” and the suri fleece type as looking like “dreadlocks”. It is often said that the suri alpaca is …
Alpacas Anonymous 