Lonnecshe Alpacas

The Alpaca (Vicugna pacos) is a domesticated species of Camelid, they can sometimes be confused with Llamas but they are different from the larger counterparts, one of the easiest ways of telling an alpaca from a llama are the size of the animals. Llamas are larger around 120kg compared to 70-80kg for an alpaca. Also llamas have banana shaped ears compared to the straighter ears of alpacas. Alpacas originate from the high altitudes of the Andes, Southern Peru, Northern Bolivia and Northern Chile, where they were kept for their fine fibre and for meat.

In New Zealand its the draw of the undeniably cute looking animals and the incredible fiber which is produced. Alpacas have a large range of natural colours and the fiber is said to be up to 30% more insulating than merino fiber as well as lacking the 'prickly' feeling that sheeps wool has. Alpacas are social herd animals that in the wild live in family groups. This would consist of a territorial male, females and their cria. They are gentle, elegant, inquisitive, intelligent and observant.

They are cautious and nervous if they feel threatened. They like having their own space and may not like an unfamiliar alpaca or human getting close, especially from behind. They warn the herd about intruders by making sharp, noisy inhalations that sound like a high pitch burro bray.

The herd may attack smaller predators with their front feet, and can spit and kick. Due to the soft pads on their feet, the impact of a kick is not as dangerous as those of hoofed animals, yet they still can give quite a bruise, and the pointed nails can inflict cuts.