Alpacas are gentle ,inquisitive, intelligent and observant. They are easily trained and safe with children. The “ Suri Alpaca “ has fiber that hangs in locks. The Huacaya Alpaca” has fiber that is fluffy and stands out from the body. Alpacas stand about 36 inches tall at the shoulder, weigh an average of 150 lbs., and live 15 to 20 years... are considerable smaller and have finer fleece then their relative, the llama. Luxurious alpaca fiber comes in 22 natural colors, and is similar to cashmere or mohair; warmer, lighter and softer then sheep's wool. Unlike sheep's wool, alpaca fiber contains no lanolin. People who are allergic to regular wool are often able to wear alpaca garments with no itching or adverse reactions! Up to 8 alpacas can be sustained on one acre of land....ideal for small farms! Alpaca diets consist of pasture forage, grass hay and a small amount of grain supplement. Alpacas are totally earth- friendly farm animals with padded feet, who graze without pulling up the grass . They minimal amounts of water> Alpacas are clean and odor free, using communal dung piles... great burn- free fertilizer! Alpacas are induced ovulators and can be bred any time of the year. Gestation take 11 months, yielding a single offspring called a cria. The female can be rebred in 2 - 4 weeks. Alpacas are fully insurable for theft and mortality... a safety net for a lovable investment!