7 Facts about Alpacas

Alpacas have captured the hearts of people all over the world with their charming appearance and luxurious wool. Although many are familiar with the charm of their wool, there are many facts about alpacas that remain relatively unknown. Expand your knowledge about the world of alpacas!

Although alpacas originate from South America, they are already quite widespread in other countries, including Lithuania.

Perhaps you too had to interact with these cute fluffy animals, who are also very interesting animals, and this is confirmed by a few facts about alpacas:

Fact #1 - High quality wool

Alpacas are well known for their exceptional wool. Alpaca wool fibers are incredibly soft and lightweight, fire and water resistant, and because their fur does not contain lanolin, it is hypoallergenic! Compared to another widely used sheep's wool, it is even 7 times warmer and 3 times more resistant, and much softer and lighter.

Fact #2 - Rich history

Alpacas have a rich history that stretches back thousands of years, over 6,000 years to be exact! Alpacas are believed to be descendants of the wild vicuña, a South American camel. Alpacas were domesticated by the indigenous people of the Andes Mountains in Peru, Bolivia and Chile, who prized them for their luxurious fiber. In fact, the Incas valued Alpaca fiber more highly than gold!

Fact #3 - Great companions

Alpacas are gentle and curious, evoking the charm of those around them. They are generally docile and can be easily trained. In our opinion, they make great companions that show off their playful and loving nature. Alpacas are excellent therapy animals, which is why they are becoming more and more popular in hospitals and rehabs.

Fact #4 - Variety of colors

Alpacas come in 22 colors, from black and white to silver and beige. This natural diversity eliminates the need for artificial dyes and creates a stunning range of shades when yarn is made from wool. At our farm, you can buy wool and yarn in 4 colors - dark brown, black, sandy and white.

Fact #5 - There are two types of alpacas

There are two main types of alpacas: Huacaya and Suri. Huacayas have dense, wrinkled wool that gives them a teddy bear appearance, while Suri have long, silky fibers that form elegant, pencil-like cords. Each species has its own unique characteristics.

Fact #6 - Long life span

The average lifespan of an alpaca is about 20 years. Some live longer, with the oldest recorded alpaca living up to 27 years. After 8-10 years, their fiber quality starts to decline, but that doesn't stop them from being the adorable friendly creatures that they are!

Fact #7 - The cost of alpaca

Alpaca is not a cheap animal. The price of apaka can vary from 1,500 to 50,000 EUR per animal. The price varies depending on age, body shape, fiber quality, origin, facial appearance and character.

More facts about alpacas

We are happy to introduce you to more facts and stories about alpacas. So visit our farm located near Vilnius, where alpacas have not only different fur colors but also characters, get to know them and have fun. See you!