Definitions in Alpaca World

Acreage: Alpacas are ideal for small farms with limited acreage.  They can comfortably prosper with 6-10 animals per acre.

Breeding: Females usually can begin breeding between 18 and 24 months of age.

Color: Alpacas come in a variety of colors with a great many shade variations from pure white to true black. They include fawns, grays, browns, rose shades and undetermined colors.

Cria:  A baby alpaca that in no older than 5 months. They have not been weaned from their mother. Most cria are between 15 and 18 pounds at birth. They can usually stand and nurse on their own in about 60 minutes.  There is a low infant mortality.

Dam: An alpaca’s mother

Fiber: An alpaca does not have hair. It has fleece which is then sheared for fiber and woven into garments.

Fiber Male: A male alpaca who will be raised for his fiber. His genetic value is not of breeding quality. They may also be used as a companion or sold as a pet.

Gestation: 335 days, give or take a few days. It takes almost a year for the birth and the dam is receptive to breed again in 14-21 days after she gives birth. Twins are extremely rare.

Herdsire: A male alpaca with genetic or quality characteristics worth breeding

Huacaya: A breed of alpaca; the other is Suri. The Huacaya has a soft, fine, dense and wooly appearance.

Lifespan: The average alpaca lives 15-25 years

Sire: An alpaca’s father

Size: An average alpaca weighs 100-150 pounds and stands about 36” at the withers. Large males may weigh as much as 175 ponds.

Suri: A breed of alpaca; the other is Huacaya. The Suri has a shiny, wavy, dreadlock appearance.

Weanling: An alpaca who has been weaned from his mother but is less than one year old.

Yearling: An alpaca between one and two years of age.