Alpaca in PeruIt's likely that during your holiday travel in Peru you'll encounter plenty of alpacas, the delightful creatures pictured below which have been nurtured by the Andean people of South America for almost 5000 years. Way back then, the Incas were measuring their wealth by the number of alpacas they owned. |
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Alpaca information
In mankind's first known use of selective breeding, the ancient Peruvians produced exquisite alpaca fleece which hasn't since been matched in quality. But when the Spanish conquistadors pillaged the New World of South America in the 17th Century, they slaughtered alpacas to remove grazing land competition for their sheep. The animals almost became extinct. Fortunately, the retreating Incas took their pedigree alpacas high into the mountains of Peru and they survived together for decades in defiance of the marauding Spaniards. The few remaining animals evolved into a tough and healthy breed in the bitterly high altitudes of Peru.
Today there are more than 3 million alpacas around the world, 98% still in Peru, Bolivia and Chile. The value of alpacas as breeding stock is rising and a global market is emerging for the beautiful clothing that can be made using alpaca wool. Alpacas are renowned as gentle, curious and intelligent creatures. They live 15 to 20 years, weigh as much as 70 kilograms, grow to about 1 metre at the shoulder and normally give birth to young weighing 6 to 8 kilograms after a pregnancy of 11 and a half months. The animals are shorn of their wool once a year and alpaca fibre is prized for its warmth, durability, softness, light weight and various natural colours. All manner of clothing can be made from alpaca fleece, which is also excellent when dyed. Hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu Peru weather for holiday travel To book cheap airline tickets, hotels, car rentals, etc. in Peru, visit our Travel Shop. |
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