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CHARACTERISTICS AND
BEHAVIOR
The identifying marks
of the alpaca are compact size, abundant soft fiber, a long neck and large
expressive eyes. Alpacas usually weigh between 100 and 170 pounds and
stand about 36 inches at the withers. Their padded feet allow them to
tread lightly over the terrain. Alpacas are ruminants, who enjoy grazing
and browsing in open fields. Alpacas communicate with a variety of quiet
noises; body postures and, on rare occasion, will spit when confronted by
extreme adversity.
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Huacaya
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Huacaya fiber grows
straight out from the body and has crimp. Suri fiber is straight and
tends to part along the spine and hangs from the animal much like
the hair on an Afghan hound. Huacaya alpacas outnumber suri alpacas
by about ten to one in both North and South America. Fiber from both
types of alpacas is prized for its extreme softness, uniform
fineness, warmth and strength. Its natural colors range from white
to black and include beautiful shades of fawn, brown and grey.
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Suri
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Alpacas are
herd-oriented animals who prefer the company of their own kind. Even so,
their gentle nature makes them easy to handle by people who understand
their ways. While alpacas must become accustomed to human touch, they are
easily trained to a halter and lead. Alpacas are usually raised as
breeding and fiber animals. They also can be excellent show animals and
wonderful family pets.
appearance, fleece and
behavior
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