ALPACA FACTS
Alpacas are social New World camelids with special characteristics in husbandry, fibre and behaviour. On this page you will find the most important alpaca facts at a glance – from origin and life expectancy to weight, feed requirements and basic husbandry principles.
The most important alpaca facts about origin, gestation period, weight and husbandry are summarised clearly here.
| Average life expectancy | 15 – 20 years |
| Average gestation time | 335 days |
| Zoology | Camelidae, Suborder: Tylopoda |
| Types | Huacaya (Short fleece)
Suri (Long fleece)
 |
| Average weight | 50 – 80 kg |
| Average height | Withers height 1m, head height 1.50 m |
| Sexual maturity | Stuten: 14 – 16 Monate Hengste: 2 – 3 Jahre |
| Weaning from the mother | From 6-8 months |
| Feed | Im Winter Heu Im Sommer Gras, Wasser und Mineralstoffe wie Camelibra |
| Feed Allowance | Approx. 2% of their body weight per day |
| Shelter Size | Fläche: 2 m² Höhe: 2 m |
| Group housing – minimum enclosure area | Groups up to 6 animals:
250 m²Groups over 6 animals:
|
| Our pasture recommendation | 600–800 m² per animal |
| Single housing of males | Enclosure area: 250 m² Shelter: 4 m² A male kept alone must have visual contact with other alpacas. |
| Livestock units | Under 2 years: 0.07 LSU Over 2 years: 0.11 LSU |
| Education | According to Art. 31 para. 4 lit. c of the Animal Welfare Ordinance (TSchV), a certificate of competence (SKN) is required for keeping alpacas. Trained farmers are exempt from this requirement. |
| Animal registration | Businesses and individuals who keep alpacas must be registered in the Animal Movement Database (TVD) . |
| Association | NWKS – Neu Welt Kameliden Schweiz |
What is an Alpaca?
An alpaca is a domesticated New World camelid from the Camelidae family. The animals originally come from the highlands of the Andes in South America and are mainly kept for their high-quality fibre. Alpacas belong to the tylopods and are closely related to llamas, guanacos and vicuñas.
Alpaca, llama, vicuña and guanaco
Four species belong to the South American camelids:
alpaca, llama, vicuña and guanaco. Two of them are wild animals, two have been domesticated by humans.
Scientific studies show that the Alpaca was most likely from the vicuña,, while the llama descends from the guanaco. This classification also corresponds to the characteristics of the animals:
Vicuñas are the smallest South American camelids and possess one of the finest natural fibres in the world. The alpaca has been selectively bred over many generations for its soft and high-quality wool .
Guanacos, on the other hand, are significantly more robust and larger. From them, the llama developed, which has traditionally been used in the Andes as a pack and transport animal .
This resulted in a natural division of the South American camelids: smaller, fibre-oriented animals such as the vicuña and alpaca on the one hand, and larger, stronger animals such as the guanaco and llama on the other.
The four South American camelids
The South American camelids include two wild species and two domesticated species. According to current scientific knowledge, the alpaca is mainly descended from the vicuña, while the llama was domesticated from the guanaco.
Wild animals
Classification
Origin, types and classification
Alpacas belong zoologically to the Camelidae family and are therefore New World camelids. They originally come from the high altitudes of the Andes in South America, where they have been kept and bred by humans for several thousand years.
Today, alpacas are kept worldwide, including in Europe and in Switzerland. In breeding, two alpaca types are distinguished: Huacaya and SuriHuacaya alpacas have a dense, crimped fibre, while Suri alpacas carry long, silky locks.
Both types are mainly bred for their high-quality fibre.
Husbandry, feeding and space requirements
Alpacas are pronounced herd animals and should therefore generally not be kept alone. For species-appropriate husbandry, they require sufficient space, a dry shelter as well as access to fresh water.
Feeding consists mainly of grass in summer and hay in winter. In addition, alpacas require suitable minerals such as Camelibrato ensure a balanced supply.
The daily feed requirement is approximately two percent of body weight. For pasture keeping, generous areas are recommended so that the animals can move sufficiently.
Short answers about alpacas
The following answers summarise key alpaca facts in a short and understandable way.
What is an Alpaca?
An alpaca is a domesticated New World camelid from the Camelidae family. The animals originally come from the Andes in South America and are mainly kept for their high-quality and soft fibre.
How old do alpacas get?
Alpacas usually reach a life expectancy of around 15 to 20 years. With good husbandry and care, they can also live longer. On our farm, our first alpaca born here even reached 21 years of age.
What is the difference between alpaca and llama?
Alpacas are generally smaller and were mainly bred for their fine fibre. Llamas are larger and stronger and were traditionally also used in the Andes as pack and transport animals.
Alpaca husbandry in Switzerland
Training / SKN (Switzerland)
For keeping alpacas in Switzerland, training requirements apply in accordance with the Animal Welfare Ordinance (TSchV).
An agricultural qualification with a focus on animal husbandry is sufficient to keep alpacas. In this case, no additional certificate of competence (SKN) is required
Persons without an agricultural qualification can keep alpacas with a certificate of competence (SKN) ). However, this is generally limited to a maximum of 10 livestock units (LU) .
In addition, farmers and animal owners must register their animal holding in the Animal Movement Database (TVD). This registration serves traceability and animal health.
Many owners are also members of professional organisations such as Neuweltkameliden Schweiz (NWKS), die Informationen sowie Austausch zur Alpaka-Haltung bieten.