Les Alpagas de Kergohy
What's an alpaca?
Alpacas are South American camelids and are related to llamas. They are the result of the domestication of the wild vicuña, thought to have started around 6000 years ago.
They originally come from the Altiplano in the Andes and more than 90% of the world alpaca population still lives in South America, mostly in Peru, but there are also now many herds of alpacas in Australia, New Zealand, USA and Europe.
There are two types of alpaca – huacaya and suri. The huacaya is more well-known, with fleece which looks a bit like a sheep from a distance, but which has no lanolin in it.
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Suris are less common, only making up about 10% of the world population of alpacas. Their fleece grows into long silky locks called pencils which look a bit like dreadlocks.
Indie (suri) and Brewster (huacaya)
Alpacas are herd animals and need the company of other alpacas of the same sex to thrive, living for between 20 and 25 years. An alpaca weighs between 60kg and 80kg and stands about 90cm to the shoulder. They eat mainly grass and hay, with a supplement to provide essential minerals and vitamins.
Alpacas are sociable, gentle, intelligent, reserved but also curious. You can establish a very peaceful and harmonious relationship with an alpaca (especially if you have a few treats in your hand for them!) and they are easily trained to walk on a lead. Walking with alpacas is now a popular activity.
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Animal mediation with alpacas is also becoming recognised as a valuable form of alternative therapy for mental health and for people with physical and mental disabilities.