Alpacas

Alpacas have very soft fiber and gentle personalities. They are related to llamas and are native to South America, in the Andes Mountains of Chile, Peru, and Bolivia.

Alpaca Fleece (or Fiber): Alpacas produce one of the most luxurious natural fibers found anywhere in the world! They grow a silky, soft fiber that has unique thermal properties due to microscopic air pockets.

(These pockets in the fiber-yarn/sock allow feet to breathe on warm days, and also trap body heat in cold weather. The fiber naturally wicks moisture from the skin, keeping feet dry and discouraging skin irritation. It is also durable and elastic. Alpaca fiber is considered to be naturally hypoallergenic because it does not contain lanolin, is itch free, and can be worn by people with sensitive skin.)

Alpaca fiber comes in more than 20 natural shades of color and can be dyed a variety of colors.

They live lightly on the earth. Alpaca farms are proving to have a low impact on the environment. Alpacas are easy on the land because they have padded feet and as they eat, they crop grass at the ground instead of pulling it out by the roots. Their fiber is collected through yearly shearing.

Other fiber animals: