ABOUT ALPACAS
The name alpaca has become synonymous with fine, high quality wool used in the elegant world of
haute couture - and not without good reason, for the wool has also been shown to be one of the warmest as well as the finest, only surpassed by the vicuña and perhaps certain species of goat.
The name of animal in Quechua is allpaka, paqo or paqocha, forms that also appear in the other living language, Aimara. Paqo is also used for one particular colour of alpaca, a dark coffee-colour with a reddish hue, which is considered the original colour of all alpacas and even of the others camelids. Nevertheless, the term also includes light-skinned ranks of the priesthood are also called paqos.
They are two varieties of alpaca: the wakaya or wakayo and the suri. The former account for almost 90% of present-day herds. They are strong, robust animals whose medium-length has a fluffy appearance. The suri is slim and delicatewith long shaggy hair often reaching nearly to the ground. The fibres are thin, with a high fat content and a density of 140-170 hairs per sq. mm (90,000 - 110,000 per sq. in), compared with 90-110 (58,000 - 70,000) for the wakaya. Each animal produces from 3-5 kg (6.5-11 lb) of fibre up to 30 cm (12 in) in length depending on feeding and rearing techniques, climate and other environmental factors.
Alpacas range in height from 80 - 90 cm (2 ft 6 in - 3 ft). Their heads are smalls and rounded, with diminutive ears, large eyes and a sweet expression. The back is slightly curved and the tail hangs down close to the hindquarters. They have a gently rounded profile with a wide body - more noticeable when viewed from behind - and short legs. Live weight is between 75 and 85 kg (165-187 lb).
