Cooperative Extension Fact Sheet FS917

Llamas and Alpacas

Michael Westendorf, Extension Specialist in Animal Sciences
Tess Stahl, Extension Specialist in Animal Sciences

Llamas (Lama glama) and alpacas (Lama pacos) are members of the Camelid family, which also includes the vicuna (Lama vicugna) and guanaco (Lama guanicoe). Their inclusion in this family is based upon their characteristic traits of being hornless, cud-chewing ruminants with an even number of toes and padded feet. Their gentle disposition, need for minimal care, and ability to adapt to a variety of climates make them an easy species for which to care. Llamas and alpacas may be collectively referred to as "llamas" though the two have distinct differences. Llamas are about twice the size of alpacas and are used as pack animals, while alpacas are used for their fine fiber.⁽¹⁾ Alpacas also have two different breeds, the Suri and the Huacaya alpaca. The difference between the two is in their wool, Suri wool is silkier and forms in dreads while Huacaya wool is crimpy and forms in bundles.⁽³⁾

Background

Llamas are ungulate (hooved mammals) natives to the Andes of South America. The llama is believed to be a descendant of the guanaco, while the alpaca was domesticated from the wild vicuna for fiber production. One distinguishing characteristic that links these species to other wild descendants is that the alpaca and vicuna have no enamel on the tongue side of their incisors, allowing these teeth to grow as they wear down from grazing continually. These are different from the llama's teeth which are fully enameled. The animals originated on the North American central plains forty million years ago and began migrating about three million years ago. Those heading west became camels and those moving south were the modern llamas, alpacas, vicunas, and guanacos.⁽³⁾

Camelids became extinct in North America at the end of the last Ice Age (10,000–12,000 years ago). Llamas were domesticated from guanacos in the Andean highlands of Peru 4,000–5,000 years ago and are among the oldest domestic animals in the world. The Incas domesticated the llama in the higher Andes mountains. During the Incan reign, the breeding and production of this species were controlled by state llama herders, and all animals were considered government property. Llama breeding was closely monitored, and hunting was forbidden. Llamas provided wool, meat, and fertilizer, and served as pack animals. The Incas sacrificed male llamas to the gods and their fiber was harvested to make clothes for the common people. Llama meat was consumed fresh or salted and dried for later use. Some parts of the digestive tract were also used as medicines.⁽³⁾

Alpacas are native to South American mountain regions and were first raised by Andean Indians. After the Incan conquest, alpacas became the basis of wealth for Incan society. Only royal family members would be seen wearing clothing made from vicuna wool.⁽⁵⁾ In the 1600s, Spanish conquistadors invaded South America, and the alpaca herders were forced to move their grazing ground higher to accommodate merino sheep. The value of their fiber was first noticed by the English textile industry in the mid-1800s. Eighty percent of the world's alpaca population (3.7 million animals) still resides in Peru, Bolivia, and Chile. Alpaca made their first appearance in the United States in 1983.⁽⁷⁾

Species Characteristics

Llamas are larger than alpacas, standing 40–45 inches at the withers and five and a half to six feet at the head. They can weigh between 280 and 450 pounds and the average lifespan is 15 to 30 years. Females usually begin breeding at 15–18 months and males at two and a half years. A llama's normal gestation is 350 days, giving birth to a single cria (pronounced creeah). Crias are usually born during daylight hours and weigh between 20–35 pounds. Within an hour post-parturition, the cria is standing and nursing from its dam. The average weaning age is 4–6 months. Going closer to 6 months is best for the dam and cria.⁽⁵⁾

Alpacas weigh about 100 to 175 pounds and stand about three feet at the withers. Their life span is about 15–25 years. A female alpaca is usually bred at 14–16 months and a male reaches full maturity in two to three years. The average gestation is 335 days and a cria may weigh 15–19 pounds. Alpacas generally have little trouble during parturition unusually taking place in the daytime and the cria is usually found nursing after the first hour. Twins are rare and there is a low infant mortality rate. Alpaca mothers are very devoted and protective towards their young.⁽³⁾

Llamas and alpacas share some characteristics. They both communicate through their posture and ear and tail movements. Aggressive modes of communication are foot-stomping, kicking, and spitting. Both have two toes on each foot, with a leathery pad on the bottom. Both also only have bottom front teeth which allows them to only trim the pasture and not pull it out by the root. Their soft padded feet and gentle grazing put less stress on the land than conventional herd animals. They are social creatures and do their best when pastured together. They should be housed in groups of at least 2 and in stocking there can be 4–5 animals an acre on good-quality pasture.⁽³⁾

Both llamas and alpacas are induced ovulators, exhibiting no heat cycle. Ovulation occurs about 24–36 hours post–breeding, enabling them to be bred any time during the year. It is recommended that females not be bred until at least 12 months of age and when they have reached 60% of adult body weight. They should not be bred during the hot summer months in North America when heat stress and different pathogens may be a problem. South American llamas are bred during cooler months for this reason.⁽³⁾

There are a few differences between llamas and alpacas, including size, ear shape, hair, fleece, and back curvature. The alpacas have shorter noses and more symmetrical, pear-shaped ears, while llamas' ears are longer and banana shaped. Most alpacas have a full "top not" or "hairdo." Their fleece is dense over all parts of their body and the alpaca's back has a slight upward curve, while the llama's back is straight. Llama hair is more wiry and coarse while alpaca hair is fine and silky.⁽⁵⁾

Uses and Economics

Some llama and alpaca uses are packing, guarding, wool production, and agritourism, the latter three of which predominate in North America. Llamas are more commonly used as pack animals. Their packing capacity or maximum weight that they can bear is 70–120 pounds depending on the size of the animal, and their padded feet make them a good pack animal, leaving the ground virtually unharmed. Llamas are also raised for their wool, although it is not as fine as that of the alpacas. Their fiber is oil-free and lightweight and may yield up to 93 percent of its original weight when processed. Their fiber colors range from white to black, with shades of beige, brown, red, and roan. Its fleece may be spotted, solid, or marked in various patterns.⁽⁵⁾

Alpacas come in 22 different natural colors and lighter colors take different dyes very well. Alpacas are prized for their wool or fiber, which is noted for its fine and soft touch and strength. It is warmer than sheep's wool, less likely to produce allergens, and contains less lanolin. The average adult alpaca produces 6–9 pounds of fiber per year and shearing one animal can produce enough fiber to make 4 to 6 sweaters.⁽⁵⁾ South American Indians use alpaca dung for fuel and fertilizer. Alpacas can be easily halter trained to lead for the show ring and are docile enough so that children can handle them. They can be used for packing but carry considerably less weight than llamas.

Llamas are effective in guarding animals against coyotes and dogs. It is recommended that the animals used for this purpose be at least 18 months old and in good health. All males should be gelded (neutered) after two years if they are going to be used as guards. Early gelding may contribute to abnormal skeletal development and should not be done before 18 months but preferably 24 months. Females with or without crias have also been used successfully. All potential guards should be in good physical condition and conformationally sound. Passive and timid animals or those that flock near feeding stations and barns are not considered good choices. Most importantly, those chosen to guard should not exhibit aggressive behavior toward humans.⁽⁶⁾

Alpaca's and llama's gentle demeanors also allow them to be easily used for agritourism and animal-assisted therapy. Agritourism events can range from just coming to see and pet them to doing things such as alpaca yoga.⁽²⁾ This is an easy way to make a steady income off them. Pricing for these events can range from lower ticket prices to expense add-ons such as photoshoots with the animals.⁽⁵⁾ Pricing for alpaca wool depends on how much it is processed. Raw wool goes for about two to six dollars an ounce, but if it is processed into yarn there are better margins. The best margins come from producing products such as sweaters or blankets. Making these products means the price per ounce ranges from ten to twenty dollars. If breeding is done, crias can be sold from $500–$50,000+ depending on the pedigree and quality of the wool. Alpacas and llamas are also used for showing.⁽²⁾

Nutrition

In general, camelid nutritional requirements are like those of sheep, and sheep data have been used to replace unknown llama requirements. Llama and alpaca nutrition is divided into life stages. Animals over three years of age that are not working or females in the first two trimesters of pregnancy are fed to meet maintenance (maintain body condition and weight) needs only. The growing stage is from birth until three years of age. Feed intake is equivalent to 1.8–2.0% of animal body weight in dry matter, and normal daily water intake is about 4 liters per hundred pounds of body weight.⁽¹⁾

Recommended maintenance protein levels for llamas and alpacas are 8–20% of the diet dry matter. Periods of pregnancy and lactation require 12–14% protein levels. The growth stage has the highest protein requirement, 13–14%. Fiber is recommended at 20–30% of the diet dry matter, regardless of stage. Pasture and hay should comprise the bulk of the diet and fresh water is necessary. Loose salt and minerals are easier for these animals to lick than in block form. On a dry lot, camelids may consume 3–5 pounds of hay a day. Llama and alpaca requirements are similar, but amounts vary between species due to body weight differences. Check with your local county extension agent if you have questions.⁽¹⁾

Herd Health

Routine health practices include annual vaccinations, routine worming, toenail trimming, and shearing. The specific vaccinations you administer to your herd should be based on the diseases present in your area and those effective in other small ruminants, such as sheep or goats. If local cervids can access the field, watch for meningeal worm (Parelophostrongylus tenuis), nasal bots (Cephenemyia spp), and American deer flukes (Fascioloides magna) that can be passed to the llamas Presently there are no vaccines specifically approved for llamas. Work with your veterinarian to determine a vaccine protocol specific to your herd and area.⁽⁴⁾

Costs

These camelids are relatively inexpensive to maintain. Up to four llamas can graze comfortably on one good acre of pasture, and an adult llama on a dry lot will require as much as a bale of hay per week. Yearly maintenance costs (including veterinary expenses) are estimated at $300 to $500 per animal. A small yard is sufficient for a llama, but an exercise room is needed. A three-sided shelter that provides a good winter windbreak and ample shade in the summer is needed. Start-up costs for fencing, housing, grooming equipment, etc. begin around $4000 depending on the area.⁽¹⁾

Statistics

There are approximately 3 million alpacas worldwide, 96% of the population living in South America and only 7% being the Suri breed. As of 2024, there are about 265,000 alpacas registered with the Alpaca Owners Association and about 100,000 accounted for by the USDA Census of Agriculture as of 2022. There are also about 3 million llamas that span across the world with the highest percentage living in Peru and Bolivia. In the United States of America, there are around 32,000 llamas according to the Census of Agriculture 2022.^(3,7)

Information Sources

Literature Cited

2023/2024 Alpaca Owners Guide
Alpaca Association of Western Washington
Alpaca Owners Association, Inc.
Herd Health of Llamas and Alpacas. Merck Veterinary Manual.
Greater Appalachian Llama and Alpaca Association
South Central Llama Association
United States Department of Agriculture. USDA.

Acknowledgements to Bonnie Altizio, Rutgers University, Ret. and Ryland Hagan, Rutgers University student.

August 2024

For more information: njaes.rutgers.edu.

Cooperating Agencies: Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and Boards of County Commissioners. Rutgers Cooperative Extension, a unit of the Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station, is an equal opportunity program provider and employer.