Alpaca Facts

The hair of alpacas is called "fleece" or "fiber". Many times it is erroneously referred to as "fur" or "wool". Alpaca fleece has 22 natural shades.

There are two types of alpacas, classified according to their fiber type:

• Huacaya - dense, crimped, wooly, water-resistant fleece. Approximately 90% of all alpacas in North America are huacayas.
• Suri - very fine and lustrous fiber which grows parallel to the body in long, separate locks. About 10% of the alpacas in North America are suris.

The fiber of the alpaca is used for clothing. Alpaca fiber is softer than cashmere or angora and warmer and lighter weight than wool. Wool can have a prickle or scratchy feeling - alpaca does not have this. Alpaca fleece has no lanolin so it is also easier to process and is hypoallergenic.