Alpacas vw1iyU.
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Transcript of Alpacas vw1iyU.
Alpaca’s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_CD8Bvw1iyU
History
Only domesticated camelid of south America Developed around 7000 years ago Worshiped by ancient Inca civilizations Bred for fiber production Inca’s civilization was based on Alpaca’s fiber
(clothes, roofs, bridges) Provided food, fuel, and transportations
History
Spanish conquistadors killed the Incan people and with them the “humming sheep” that they cherished.
The surviving Incans fled with some of their alpaca’s into the high Ande’s mountains.
Sir Titus Salt of London discovered the “remarkable fiber of this musical camelid”
History 1983 Alpaca’s became more known in US Today over 3 million alpacas exist in the
world 98% are still located in Peru, Bolivia, and
Chile US herds are estimated at 17,000
Types of Alpacas:
Huacaya (wa-ki-a): The “teddy bear” alpaca,
whose full coat presents a round and wooly appearance.
Fleece is crimped, very dense, and covers all 22 colors
Account for about 90% of all alpacas
Types of Alpacas
Suri (sir-e) Alpaca with dreadlocks Full coat, non-crimped
lustrous “pencils” hang downward, creating a layered and majestic appearance.
Very rare,
Alpaca Fact’s
Size: A mature alpaca weighs 10-170 lbs and is 34-38
inches tall at the withers. Crias (babies) weight 15-19 lbs at birth
Lifespan 15-25 years, few live to30 years
Alpaca Facts
Reproductive Lifespan 12-14 years, 3-17 years for females 10-12 years, 4-16 years for males
Gestation Period 11 months, (335 days) healthy females can reproduce every year, one
cria multiple births are extremely rare
Alpaca Behavior
Herd Animals Make easy to keep together Social Easy to care for: like people
Alpaca Fibers
Colors more than 22 natural shades range from black to white
Growth Rate of coat each year 5-10 inches
Weight of fleece mature individual each year 1-8
pounds
Fleece
Specialty fiber
Almost indestructible Extremely healthy and
comfortable to wear hypoallergenic and soft on skin)
Different colors Can pay for the
maintenance of an animal
Care and Diet
Developed to withstand the harsh cold of the high mountains
Only need a 3 sided shelter Need shade and airflow in summer 5-10 animals per acre of usable land
Care…
Fencing: don’t challenge fences, but necessary to keep predators out.
Need regular worming, feet trimmed 1x/ 6 months, and annual vaccinations
Diet
Need good pasture
Low protein hay when needed
Small amount of grain (selenium and vitamins)