What is an alpaca?

Alpacas are members of the South American Camelid Family. This includes camels, llamas, alpacas, vicunas, and guancos. Unlike llamas, which were primarily used as pack-animals, alpacas were raised for their cashmere-like fiber. They have been domesticated for over 5,000 years. Alpacas are native to the Andean Mountain Range of South America and are primarily found in Bolivia, Chile and Peru. Alpacas are often raised as an alternative to sheep farming. The importation of alpacas was stopped in 1998. The alpacas that are here are the only breeding stock to improve bloodlines. This makes breeding them a good investment opportunity.