Llamas & Alpacas
Llamas are members of the camel family. They have a life span of about 15 to 29 years and can range from 250 to 450 pounds. Their height ranges from 36” to 47” at the shoulder and 5’ to 6’5” at the head. Llamas may be solid, spotted, or marked in a wide variety of patterns, with wool colors ranging from white to black and many shades of gray, beige, brown, red, roan and many others in between.
North American llamas are bred and raised for packing, wool production, cart pulling, animal facilitated therapy, companion animals, exhibition in shows, parades and fairs, and guardians of other livestock such as sheep. They are becoming increasingly popular as a project animal for 4-H, Scouts, FFA and other
youth activities.
Alpacas are the smaller cousins to the llama. They are about 36" tall
at the shoulders and weigh about 150-200 pounds. Alpacas originate from
Chile, Peru and Bolivia. Their lifespan is estimated to be about 20
years. There are two types of breeds - the Suri and Huacaya. Suris have
highly developed lock structure and generally more luster to their
fiber. Huacayas are generally larger with more "crimpy" and thus dense
fiber.
Alpacas produce one of the world's finest and most luxurious natural
fibers. It is shorn 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). This cashmere-like fleece, once
reserved for Incan royalty, is now enjoyed by spinners and weavers
around the world.
There are many shows in TN and the region for alpaca owners to exhibit
both animal and fleece for competition. As with Llamas, they are
becoming increasingly popular in 4-H, Scouts, FFA and other youth
activities.
For more information contact:
Tennessee Dept of Agriculture
Market Development Division
P.O. Box 40627
Nashville, TN 37204
Phone: (615) 837-5160
Fax (615) 837-5194