ALPACA VOCABULARY
BLANKET | The part of an alpaca’s coat that extends from the nape of the neck to the tail. "Prime" fleece.
BRED FEMALE | A pregnant alpaca. The average gestation for an alpaca is 11 1/2 months.
CAMELIDAE (Camelids) | The larger family which includes alpacas, camels, llama, guanacos, and vicunas.
CRIA | A baby alpaca.
CRIMP | The even, corrugated wave formation in a single fiber of Huacaya fleece.
DAM | An alpaca’s mother.
DENSITY | The number of fibers in a specific area of an alpaca’s body.
FIBER | The fleece of the alpaca also known as wool or fur.
HERDSIRE | A male alpaca with genetic characteristics desirable for breeding.
HUACAYA | A type of alpaca with crimped wool that resembles a teddy bear. We raise Huacaya alpacas.
OPEN FEMALE | An animal not bred currently.
PET QUALITY | A male alpaca whose genetic characteristics are not considered desirable for breeding.
SHEARING | The once-a-year harvesting of alpaca fibers usually carried out in mid-spring (like a haircut).
SIRE | The alpaca’s father.
TOP KNOT | Wool on the alpaca’s head and between its ears which is considered a desirable aesthetic.
WEANLING | A weaned alpaca less than one year old. Most alpacas are weaned at 4 to 7 months of age.
YEARLING | An alpaca aged one to two years.
BRED FEMALE | A pregnant alpaca. The average gestation for an alpaca is 11 1/2 months.
CAMELIDAE (Camelids) | The larger family which includes alpacas, camels, llama, guanacos, and vicunas.
CRIA | A baby alpaca.
CRIMP | The even, corrugated wave formation in a single fiber of Huacaya fleece.
DAM | An alpaca’s mother.
DENSITY | The number of fibers in a specific area of an alpaca’s body.
FIBER | The fleece of the alpaca also known as wool or fur.
HERDSIRE | A male alpaca with genetic characteristics desirable for breeding.
HUACAYA | A type of alpaca with crimped wool that resembles a teddy bear. We raise Huacaya alpacas.
OPEN FEMALE | An animal not bred currently.
PET QUALITY | A male alpaca whose genetic characteristics are not considered desirable for breeding.
SHEARING | The once-a-year harvesting of alpaca fibers usually carried out in mid-spring (like a haircut).
SIRE | The alpaca’s father.
TOP KNOT | Wool on the alpaca’s head and between its ears which is considered a desirable aesthetic.
WEANLING | A weaned alpaca less than one year old. Most alpacas are weaned at 4 to 7 months of age.
YEARLING | An alpaca aged one to two years.