The alpaca (Lama pacos) is a domesticated species of South American camelid. Traditionally, alpacas were kept in herds that grazed on the level heights of the Andes of Southern Peru, Western Bolivia, Ecuador, and Northern Chile. More recently, alpacas may be found on farms and ranches worldwide, with thousands of animals born and raised annually. Alpacas are especially popular in North America, Europe, and Australia.
There are two modern breeds of alpaca, separated based on their respective region of endemism and fiber (wool) type: the Suri alpaca and the Huacaya alpaca. Both breeds produce a highly valued fiber, with Suri alpaca's fiber growing in straight "locks," while Huacaya fiber has a "crimped," wavy texture and grows in bundles. These breeds' fibers are used for making knitted and woven items, similar to sheep's wool.
Alpacas are visually and genetically similar to, and often confused with a relative species, the llama; however, alpacas are visibly shorter and predominantly bred for their wool, while llamas have long been more highly prized as livestock guardians (in place of dogs), and as a pack animal (beast-of-burden), owing to their nimble mountain-climbing abilities. Both the alpaca and the llama are believed to have been domesticated and selectively bred from their wild counterparts — the smaller, fine-haired vicuña and the larger, stronger guanaco, respectively — at least 5,000 to 6,000 years ago. Nonetheless, all four South American camelids are closely related and can successfully crossbreed.
Alpacas communicate through body language, spitting to show dominance when distressed, fearful, or agitated. Male alpacas are more aggressive than females. In some cases, alpha males will immobilize the head and neck of a weaker or challenging male to show their strength and dominance.
In the textile industry, "alpaca" primarily refers to the hair of Peruvian alpacas. More broadly, it refers to a style of fabric originally made from alpaca hair, such as mohair, Icelandic sheep wool, or even high-quality wool from other breeds of sheep. In trade, distinctions are made between alpacas and the several styles of mohair and luster.
Translated Descriptions (6)
cs
Alpaka (Lama pacos) je domestikovaný druh jihoamerického velbloudovitého savce. Tradičně byly alpaky chovány v stádech na náhorních plošinách And v jižním Peru, západní Bolívii, Ekvádoru a severním Chile. V poslední době se vyskytují na farmách po celém světě. Existují dvě moderní plemena, Suri a Huacaya, lišící se typem vlny. Alpaky jsou geneticky příbuzné lamám, jsou však menší a šlechtěné primárně pro vlnu, zatímco lamy slouží jako soumaři a hlídači stád. Oba druhy byly domestikovány před 5 000 až 6 000 lety z vikuň a guanako. Alpaky komunikují řečí těla a pliváním při stresu či dominanci.
de
Das Alpaka (Lama pacos) ist eine domestizierte südamerikanische Kamelart. Traditionell wurden Alpakas in Herden auf den Hochebenen der Anden in Südperu, Westbolivien, Ecuador und Nordchile gehalten. In jüngerer Zeit findet man sie weltweit auf Farmen und Ranches. Es gibt zwei moderne Rassen, die Suri- und die Huacaya-Alpakas, die sich durch ihre Faserstruktur unterscheiden. Alpakas sind genetisch mit dem Lama verwandt, aber kleiner und primär auf Wollproduktion gezüchtet, während Lamas als Lasttiere und Herdenschutztiere dienen. Beide wurden vor etwa 5.000 bis 6.000 Jahren aus Vikunjas bzw. Guanakos domestiziert. Alpakas kommunizieren durch Körpersprache und Spucken bei Stress oder Dominanzverhalten.
es
La alpaca (Lama pacos) es una especie domesticada de camélido sudamericano. Tradicionalmente, las alpacas se criaban en rebaños en las alturas de los Andes del sur de Perú, el oeste de Bolivia, Ecuador y el norte de Chile. Más recientemente, se pueden encontrar en granjas y ranchos de todo el mundo. Existen dos razas modernas, la alpaca Suri y la alpaca Huacaya, diferenciadas por su tipo de fibra. Las alpacas son genéticamente similares a la llama, pero son más pequeñas y se crían principalmente por su lana, mientras que las llamas se han utilizado como animales de carga y guardianes de rebaños. Ambas fueron domesticadas hace al menos 5.000 a 6.000 años a partir de la vicuña y el guanaco, respectivamente. Las alpacas se comunican mediante el lenguaje corporal y escupen cuando están estresadas o para mostrar dominancia.
fr
L'alpaga (Lama pacos) est une espèce domestiquée de camélidé sud-américain. Traditionnellement, les alpagas étaient élevés en troupeaux sur les hauts plateaux des Andes au sud du Pérou, à l'ouest de la Bolivie, en Équateur et au nord du Chili. Plus récemment, on les trouve dans des fermes et des ranchs du monde entier. Il existe deux races modernes, l'alpaga Suri et l'alpaga Huacaya, distinguées par leur type de fibre. Les alpagas sont génétiquement proches du lama, mais sont plus petits et élevés principalement pour leur laine, tandis que les lamas sont utilisés comme bêtes de somme et gardiens de troupeaux. Tous deux ont été domestiqués il y a au moins 5 000 à 6 000 ans à partir de la vigogne et du guanaco. Les alpagas communiquent par le langage corporel et crachent en cas de stress ou pour affirmer leur dominance.
it
L'alpaca (Lama pacos) è una specie addomesticata di camelide sudamericano. Tradizionalmente, gli alpaca venivano allevati in greggi sugli altopiani delle Ande nel Perù meridionale, Bolivia occidentale, Ecuador e Cile settentrionale. Più recentemente, si trovano in fattorie e ranch in tutto il mondo. Esistono due razze moderne, l'alpaca Suri e l'alpaca Huacaya, distinte in base al tipo di fibra. Gli alpaca sono geneticamente simili al lama, ma sono più piccoli e allevati principalmente per la lana, mentre i lama sono usati come animali da soma e guardiani del gregge. Entrambi sono stati addomesticati almeno 5.000-6.000 anni fa rispettivamente dalla vigogna e dal guanaco. Gli alpaca comunicano attraverso il linguaggio del corpo e sputano in caso di stress o per mostrare dominanza.
pt
A alpaca (Lama pacos) é uma espécie domesticada de camelídeo sul-americano. Tradicionalmente, as alpacas eram criadas em rebanhos nas terras altas dos Andes no sul do Peru, oeste da Bolívia, Equador e norte do Chile. Mais recentemente, podem ser encontradas em quintas e ranchos em todo o mundo. Existem duas raças modernas, a alpaca Suri e a alpaca Huacaya, distinguidas pelo tipo de fibra. As alpacas são geneticamente semelhantes à lhama, mas são mais pequenas e criadas principalmente pela sua lã, enquanto as lhamas são usadas como animais de carga e guardiãs de rebanhos. Ambas foram domesticadas há pelo menos 5.000 a 6.000 anos a partir da vicunha e do guanaco, respetivamente. As alpacas comunicam através da linguagem corporal e cospem quando estão stressadas ou para mostrar dominância.
