# Alpaca (*Vicugna pacos*)

> Alpacas are small domesticated camelids prized for soft, hypoallergenic fleece that comes in 22 natural colours. Native to the Andean highlands, they weigh 55–90 kg (120–200 lb), live in social herds, and communicate with soft hums, clucks, and alarm calls.

- **Category:** Mammal
- **Conservation status (IUCN):** Domesticated
- **Range:** Domesticated in the central Andes above 3,500 m in Peru, Bolivia, and Chile; raised on farms across the Americas, Europe, and Oceania.
- **Canonical page:** https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/alpaca/
- **Last reviewed:** 2026-07-16

## Scientific classification

- **Kingdom:** Animalia
- **Phylum:** Chordata
- **Class:** Mammalia
- **Order:** Artiodactyla
- **Family:** Camelidae
- **Genus:** Vicugna

## Facts at a glance

| Attribute | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Scientific name | Vicugna pacos |
| Diet | Herbivore — grass, hay, and mineral supplement |
| Habitat | Andean highlands above 3,500 m; farms worldwide |
| Lifespan | 15–20 years with good care |
| Weight | 55–90 kg (120–200 lb) |
| Top speed | Up to 35 km/h (22 mph) when fleeing |
| Conservation status | Domesticated (IUCN) |

## Fleece and shearing

Alpaca fibre is fine, warm, and lacks the lanolin found in sheep wool, making it popular for hypoallergenic textiles. Animals are shorn annually, yielding several kilograms of fleece. Huacaya alpacas have crimped, fluffy fleece; Suri alpacas have silky, dreadlock-like locks.

## Herd social structure

Alpacas are deeply social and should never be kept alone — a solitary alpaca becomes stressed and vulnerable. Herds establish a clear pecking order through posturing and occasional spitting. Females usually bear a single cria after an 11-month gestation.

## Andean heritage

Alpacas were domesticated from the wild vicuña thousands of years ago in the central Andes. Traditional herding communities still manage alpaca flocks for fibre and meat at altitudes where other livestock struggle.

## Keeping alpacas

Alpacas need secure fencing, parasite management, hoof trimming, and shelter from extreme heat. They use a communal dung pile, which simplifies pasture management. They are livestock rather than house pets and suit owners with land and herd-management experience.

## Frequently asked questions

### Are alpacas good pets?

They are gentle livestock suited to small farms, not indoor pets. They need pasture, companions, and routine veterinary and hoof care.

### Alpaca vs llama?

Alpacas are smaller and bred for fibre; llamas are larger pack animals. Alpacas have shorter faces and finer fleece.

### How often are alpacas shorn?

Once a year, typically in spring before hot weather. Each shearing yields roughly 2–5 kg of fleece depending on the animal.

### Do alpacas spit?

Yes, mainly at each other during disputes. Well-handled alpacas rarely spit at people unless stressed or mishandled.

### How long do alpacas live?

Typically 15–20 years, sometimes longer with excellent nutrition and parasite control.

## Sources

- [IUCN Red List — Vicugna pacos.](https://www.iucnredlist.org/search?query=Vicugna%20pacos&searchType=species)
- [Animal Diversity Web — Vicugna pacos. University of Michigan Museum of Zoology.](https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Vicugna_pacos/)

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Source: Global Animal Guide (https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/alpaca/). Licensed CC BY-NC 4.0 — free for non-commercial reuse with attribution.