The Alpaca is a domesticated species of South American camelid that resembles a small llama. Alpacas originate from the high plains of the Andes where they have been raised over millennia for their prized fleece.

Their especially soft, warm, and light-weight hypoallergenic fiber comes in more than 22 natural colors, and is used to produce a wide variety of knitted and woven items.

These curious, gentle, easy-to-care-for, and environmentally friendly humming creatures may make the perfect addition to your family farm!

An introduction to Alpaca vocabulary includes:

Agistment - To agist is to have another farm care for your animal(s).

Camelids - Biological suborder members of the camelidae family, including alpacas, llamas, vicunas and guanacos.

Chili - An alpaca whose coat reflect attributes of both the Huacaya and Suri breeds.

Cria - A baby alpaca that is less than one year old.

Dam/ Hembra - A female alpaca that has been successfully bred.

Fiber Quality - Typically a gelded (castrated) male that is used only for fiber production.

Herdsire/ Macho - A male alpaca used for breeding.

Huacaya - A breed of alpaca known for its well-crimped (undulated) fleece.

Maiden - An unproven female alpaca that is ready to be bred, generally as early as two years of age.

Suri - A breed of alpaca known for its silky, locked fleece.

Tui - An eighteen-month-old alpaca.

Weanling - A baby alpaca that no longer relies on its mother's milk, usually at about 6 to 12 months of age.