AlpacaSeller AU    General alpaca facts  The alpaca is a
domesticated member of the camelid family - the others being
llamas, guanacos, vicunas and of course the camel. Alpacas are
native to South America - from the high altitudes of the Andes
of Chile, Peru and Bolivia - where they have been kept for their
luxurious fleece for thousands of years.  Alpacas are about 1m
high at the shoulder and an adult weights between 50-80 kg. The
young, called cria, should be 6-8 kilos at birth. Castrated
males are commonly known as wethers. Alpacas live for 15-20
years and females can breed for about 12 of these. The gestation
period is 11-12 months and they nearly always give birth in
daylight hours and usually with no assistance needed. Alpacas
rarely have twins.  Alpacas in Australia  The Australian herd
numbers some 60,000 registered alpacas, and is the largest herd
outside South America. Alpacas are in relatively short supply
and their slow breeding rate makes them quite a valuable animal.
Wethers (catrated males) sta