The alpaca is a domesticated species of South American camelid. Alpacas are similar to llamas, and are often confused with them, although we believe alpacas are way cooler!

Alpacas were domesticated by the Incas more than 6,000 years ago and were originally raised for their exquisite fleece. Alpaca fibre is much like sheep’s wool, but warmer and not as itchy! It is lacking in lanolin, which makes it hypoallergenic and it comes in 22 shades ranging from white, light rose, grey to dark fawn.

Alpacas come in two types Suri and  Huacaya. Here at John Muir Alpacas, we are lucky enough to have both types. The Suri’s have fibre that grows long, and forms silky dreadlocks. The Huacaya, on the other hand, has a woolly densly crimped fleece, and they look a lot like teddy bears!

Did you know that about 90% of all alpacas are Huacayas? This makes our Suri boys quite rare 🙂