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The Alpaca (Vicugna pacos) is a domesticated species of South American camelid
developed from the wild alpacas. It resembles a sheep in appearance, but is
larger and has a long erect neck as well as coming in many colours, whereas
sheep are generally bred to be white.
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Alpacas are kept in herds
that graze on the level heights of the in South America at an altitude of 3,500
to 5,000 meters above sea-level, throughout the year. Alpacas are considerably
smaller than Llamas, and unlike them are not used as beasts of burden but are
valued only for their fiber. |
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Alpacas only have fleece fibers, not woolen fibers, used for making
knitted and woven items much as sheeps wool is. These items include:
blankets, sweaters, hats, gloves, scarves, a wide variety of textiles
and ponchos in South America, and sweaters, socks and coats in other
parts of the world.
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