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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.
The two types of alpacas, huacaya and suri, are distinguished by their fiber.
  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.
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.
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