Alpaca Closeup

Alpacas are the smallest members of the camel family. The average height at the shoulder is 3 feet (91.4 centimeters) They are 4 to 7 feet (120 to 225 cm) long and weigh 121 to 143 lbs. (55 to 65 kilograms).

Alpacas are the most important of the lamoids for fleece production. Alpacas are normally sheared every two years, yielding fine fleeces of about 3 kg (6.5 pounds) per animal. Hair growth in two years is about 30 cm (12 inches). Individual fibres within the fleece range from about 20 to 40 cm in length at the time of shearing. Alpacas have a natural life span of 15–20 years.