3000 years ago the first alpacas were bred for their wool. The ancestral breed of alpacas are vicuñas which live in the high alpine areas of the Andes. Since alpaca wool is very soft the Incas called it the "fleece of the gods". Unlike sheep wool it does not contain any lanolin and is therefore suitable for people with allergies.
Nowadays in Germany alpacas are not only kept for their wool. Thanks to their gentle and calming character they are also used in animal assisted therapy.
Category: Mammal
Weight: ♂ 60-80 kg; ♀ 55 kg
Sexually mature: 1-2 years
gestation period: 12 months, usually a young, exceptionally also twins are born
food: grass, herbs, leaves
Power: alpacas are bred for their fine wool
Way of life: just like all camels alpacas are social animals and feel most comfortable in groups
Danger: not endangered
distribution: South America (Chile, Bolivia, Peru)
distribution area
