Alpacas are domesticated members of the camelid family, the others are camels, llamas, guanacos and vicuñas. They are native to South America and reside in the higher elevations of the Andes, Bolivia, Chile and Peru. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay Alpacas have been bred for centuries and kept for their fleece. There are two breeds of Alpaca: the Huacaya (pronounced wakaya) and the Suri. The Suri is not common in the UK and has a fleece that can be compared to dreadlocks which are loose and long. The Huacaya represents 95% of the world's alpaca inventory and has a denser, more fibrous coat. Alpacas measure around 90 cm in height at the shoulder and adults weigh between 50 and 80 kg. At birth, an alpaca will weigh around 8 kilos. The baby alpaca is known as a neutered and the male cria are usually called wethers. Alpacas live on average between 15 and 20 years and females can breed for around 12 years with a period of 11 to 12 months. There are 22 colors of fleece, from white to black, with some including browns, tawny grays and rosy grays. Alpacas as Pets – You Need a Herd! Alpacas are herd animals and should not be herded. You will therefore need space for 3 or 4 at a minimum and should therefore be seeded at a rate of 4 to 6 per acre. Compact areas are sufficient to keep alpacas, although you will need land. They are hardy animals and it is great to provide them with open shelter, especially for summer shade. There is no need for fencing because alpacas jump fences, which is very rare. A 4ft high sheep fence is considered most suitable and avoid barbed wire or electric fences as these get caught in their fleece. They are semi-ruminants and consume grass. Hay should be provided when grass has grown, especially in winter. Special alpaca food mixes are available that help alpacas obtain essential vitamins and minerals. They need a small amount each day, and you can feed them when you have alpacas as pets to keep them tame. As with any livestock, you need a supply of fresh, clean water. Alpacas don't create a lot of mess because they use piles of droppings for your pets to clean up and use as manure. Caring for Your Alpacas as Pets Alpacas very rarely have health problems, which makes caring for alpacas less expensive than other animals. They should be dewormed and vaccinated twice a year against clostridial diseases (bacterial soil diseases such as blackleg and tetanus which can be fatal). Every 2 to 6 months, toenails will need to be trimmed and light-colored alpacas will need theirs trimmed. They want to shear once a year and the fleece can be marketed to alpaca wool users. Keeping alpacas as pets can therefore have a financial advantage. At Penrose Products, we would like to hear from you in case you have any fibers. Keep in mind: this is just a sample. Get a personalized article from our expert writers now. Get a Personalized Essay Courses are available to help you learn how to train. and take care of them with patience. Alpacas can be trained and reasonably priced. You can teach them to walk with a halter. These are animals that..