Little's Lane Alpacas
The rare Alpaca (Vicugna pacos) is a charming and valuable member of the camel (camelid) family. There are no wild Alpacas. They are domesticated versions of Vicuñas, South American ruminants that live high in the Andes. Alpacas are related to Llamas, which are domesticated versions of another wild Andean ruminant, the Guanaco. While Llamas are used as pack animals, Alpacas are raised and prized mainly for their soft wool, which is harvested by shearing once a year. An Alpaca sweater or blanket is a cherished possession, frequently handed down from one generation to the next. They are very gently, clean animals and make wonderful pets. (June 6, 2007)
