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Photo By Naomi Flam Peru 2003, Photo By Naomi Flam ©

One of our highest priorities at Astral-Light Alpacas is educating the public about this ancient, exotic Incan treasure known as the alpaca. Please click on the links below to learn more about these special animals:

History of the Alpaca

Alpacas are relative newcomers to the North America, first imported to the United Stated in 1984. But hundreds of years ago, they were considered a priceless treasure among Incan civilizations in the mountains of South America. While a member of the camelid family, the alpaca was not bred for transportation or carrying heavy loads, but rather for its fleece. Soft, luxurious alpaca fiber was used for royal Incan clothing, tapestries and artwork, and stunning examples have been found still intact in ancient burial sites.

During the Industrial Revolution of the 18th and 19th centuries, textile manufacturers discovered the luxury, warmth, versatility and strength of alpaca fiber. South American breeders expanded their herds to meet the growing demand, and by the 20th century, alpacas were being exported to Australia, New Zealand, Canada, England, Israel and the United States.

Today, alpacas are being successfully raised in many parts of the world, and the United States alpaca industry is flourishing. At Astral-Light Alpacas, we are committed to preserving the noble heritage and rich history of the alpaca through selective breeding, setting high standards to produce luxurious, fine fiber, and a desire to consistently improve the quality of our herd.
Huacaya & Suri Breeds

There are two breed types of alpacas: the Huacaya ("wah-kí-ah") and the Suri ("surrey").

The Huacaya breed is characterized by a dense, crimped fleece that gives it a fluffy appearance.

The fleece of the Suri breed has no crimp, so the individual fibers twist around one another to form long, "dreadlocks" locks that hang down from thier bodies.
Alpaca Care & Nutrition

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Shearing

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Fiber FAQs

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