2025/2026 Alpaca Owners Guide

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Photo courtesy of The Farm at Krystal Acres

Q: How long do alpacas live? A: Alpacas usually live 15 to 20 years. The longest documented lifespan is 28 years. Q: How are alpacas different from llamas? A: People often confuse alpacas with llamas. While closely related, they are very different. Llamas weigh 250 – 450 pounds, about twice as much as alpacas, which weigh 120 – 200 pounds. Llamas are used for packing and guarding livestock. Alpacas are raised for their soft fleece. Q: Are alpacas an “exotic species,” or are they considered simply “livestock?” A: Alpacas have been raised as domestic livestock for thousands of years. Their main product is fleece, much like sheep. Both the United States and Canada classify alpacas as livestock. Q: Are alpacas easy to care for? A: Alpacas are small and relatively easy livestock to maintain. They stand about 36 inches high at the withers (where the neck and spine meet) and weigh between 120 and 200 pounds. Like other livestock, alpacas need basic

shelter and protection from heat and foul weather. Good nutrition is essential for healthy animals. Hay, minerals, and fresh, clean water should be available at all times. Many owners also provide a nutritional supplement. Under a veterinarian’s direction, alpacas need vaccinations, preventive medication, and deworming. They also require yearly shearing to stay cool in the summer. Alpacas do not have hooves; instead, they have two toes with hard toenails on top and a soft pad underneath. Their padded feet minimize pasture impact. To maintain comfort and proper alignment, their toenails should be trimmed as needed. Q: How much space does it take to raise an alpaca? A: Alpacas are environmentally friendly and require less pasture and food than other livestock. Stocking density affects the health of the animal, so owners are encouraged to carefully assess their space. Vegetation, access to food and water, and shelter are factors that influence the amount of space needed. Consult your local agricultural authorities and breeders for specific recommendations in your area.

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