INTRODUCING THE ALPACA

Our woolly friend, the alpaca, is most recognisable by its striking appearance – head upright, betraying the animal’s inquisitive nature, lips puckered, whilst chewing a mouthful of cud.

These two features, however, are trumped by the incredible funky hairstyles of the animal. Alpacas are best known for sporting floppy fringes and trendy, asymmetrical spikey dos.

Don’t let their cuddly outward appearance fool you, though. The alpaca is a deceptively robust animal, able to survive harsh mountainous regions. Indeed, the majority of the world’s alpaca ranches are based in high-altitude areas of Peru, Bolivia and Chile. The creature also has a number of close South American cousins. It is joined in the “camelid” family by llamas, guanacos and vicunas.

Although resilient, the animal has been bred for domestication, for thousands of years. This means that, by nature, they are a passive animal, and are happiest when freely frolicking around open grassy areas, with their fringes blowing in the wind.

Shorn in early-summer, alpacas are truly remarkable for their luxurious coats. Commonly known as “alpaca fibre”, this yarn is prized by knitting lovers worldwide. Don’t worry though, the animal is not harmed during the shearing process! In fact they enjoy being relieved of their winter coats and the process is no more painful than a human haircut.

In the coming weeks Crafty Alpacas will be bringing you the most incredible information we can muster, about the coolest animal of all.