Explore the site
Explore the fiber alpacas produce, their long history in the Andes and the United States, and practical guides to raising and working with them.
From the Andes to American Farms
Alpacas were domesticated in the Andes thousands of years ago and became closely tied to Andean farming and textile traditions. Follow their history from early herds and prized fiber to the development of modern alpaca farms.
Explore alpaca history
Clothing & Fiber
Alpaca fleece is made into warm, soft clothing and household goods. Learn how the fiber is used in socks, sweaters, jumpers, blankets, and scarves, as well as how raw fleece becomes a finished garment.
Practical alpaca guides
Learn what is involved in caring for alpacas, managing a herd, working with fleece, and developing a small alpaca farm. These guides cover both everyday responsibilities and longer-term farm planning.
Alpaca questions
About alpacas
Alpacas are domesticated South American camelids with a history closely tied to the high Andes. The two recognized alpaca breeds are Huacaya, whose fleece has a dense, crimped appearance, and Suri, whose fiber hangs in long, silky locks. Although closely related, alpacas and llamas differ in size, coat, temperament, and the roles for which they have traditionally been raised.
Most alpacas are raised primarily for their fleece, which can be processed into yarn, blankets, scarves, sweaters, socks, and other alpaca clothing. The fiber occurs naturally in a wide range of colors, including white, fawn, brown, gray, and black. In addition to producing fiber, many farms maintain breeding programs, sell alpaca products, welcome scheduled visitors, or hold educational tours and seasonal events.
Alpaca Farms brings these subjects together in one place. You can browse our nationwide directory of alpaca farms, learn about alpaca history, and understand common behavior such as herd communication and spitting. Practical guides also explain subjects including alpaca breeding and starting a farm. Whether you are planning a farm visit, researching alpaca ownership, or learning about the fiber, these sections provide a starting point for exploring the site.
