Southland Alpacas

• Alpacas are a member of the camelid family, which also includes vicunas, guanacos, llamas, bactrian and dromedary camels.
• The huacaya and the suri are two different alpaca types. The suri alpaca has fibre that grows quite long and forms silky, pencil-like locks, sometimes referred to as dreadlocks. The huacaya alpaca has a woolly appearance with a more compact, dense, crimpy fleece.
• Alpacas in Australia are expected to have a life span of 15 to 25 years, and they continue to breed well into old age.
• Alpaca gestation is 11 to 12 months, and they produce a single cria, twin births are rare.
• Alpacas are a modified ruminant and chew their cud similar to a cow. Instead of four stomachs they have only three.
• Alpacas graze pasture grasses and hay, and enjoy a browse on trees and shrubs. In Australia alpacas would benefit with a daily supplement of minerals in their diet.
• Alpacas are environmentally friendly with their soft padded feet they do little damage to the pasture.
• The Alpaca is a curious and intelligent animal, and with their compact size and gentle natures they are generally easy to manage and train. Their spit, which is regurgitated green grass and has a terrible smell, is very offensive within the herd, and to us when we accidentally happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. The alpaca is not aggressive and although will spit within the herd will not generally spit at people.
• Alpacas are a pleasure to own either as pets, for stud breeding, or for fleece production. They are also successfully filling a need as sheep herd guards.
• Alpacas are a herd animal and need the companionship of at least one other alpaca.
• Alpaca fibre comes in 22 colours that can be registered with the AAA (Australian Alpaca Association). There are many shades in the 22 colours. Alpacas are shorn once a year and their fibre, which is sometimes called the ‘fibre of the gods’ makes some of the worlds most luxurious garments.

We never stop learning about the alpaca, or enjoying them. It always gives a breeder a great deal of pleasure to experience the improvement in the fleece that can be made with a positive breeding program. And it does not have to be difficult, although it may take time. We are constantly making choices and decisions and seeing slow improvement, but when we see improvement, however little, it makes it all so rewarding.

On the links page you will find a link to the 'Australian Alpaca Association' website, this will provide a huge range of information about alpacas and the growing alpaca industry, including alpaca research and development information.

Thanks to Ken, Wintersun Alpacas, we now have an updated, and attractive looking website that we hope you will find easy to view. And thanks to Ken we now have some alpacas for you to view in our 'Photo Gallery' Album. On the links page, you can also find a link to Ken.