A Fleece-y Species

When it comes to warm, soft, and fuzzy, there’s nothing like an alpaca. This animal’s coat is made of silky, luxurious fibers that are warmer than wool, softer than cashmere, and hypoallergenic.

Alpaca are native to the altiplano (“high plain”) region of the Andes. This area includes parts of four countries (Peru, Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina) at an average elevation of 12,300 feet. The climate is cool year-round, with the ground remaining frosted for over six months at a time, so this species has developed thick, velvety fleece to retain warmth.

Alpaca in Peru

Estimates are that 3.6 million of these animals reside within Peru’s borders, comprising 80 percent of the world’s population. There are thought to be at least 50,000 families in the altiplano that raise alpaca for income.

These creatures eat less food than others of their size, and the sparse native grasses of the high plain provide all the nutrition they need. In fact, they need to eat only 2 percent of their body weight to remain healthy, because of their highly efficient digestion.

Alpaca stomachs have three compartments that extract all possible nutrients from their forage. Also, they have developed adaptations to preserve their food supply, such as two-toed, padded feet to tread gently on the vegetation and consuming only exposed leaves so that the roots can regrow.

Fabulous Fleece

The most valuable part of an alpaca is its fleece, with annual exports of more than US$100 million. Alpaca fleece is used to make everything from gloves to sweaters to blankets. It comes in 22 naturally occurring colors and sells for US$2 to US$4 per ounce, depending on its quality.

In 2014 the Peruvian government sought to promote this fiber by persuading five fashion designers to travel from New York City to learn about it. Their six-day trip included meeting Indigenous herders and watching how the fleece is transformed from yarn to fabric to clothing. The global market for alpaca apparel and accessories is growing, because consumers view the products as ethical and sustainable.

Not only is alpaca fiber incredibly silky and warm, it is also durable. It has a hollow, water-resistant structure that protects it from staining or wrinkling. Ancient woven cloths with alpaca threads have been found in archeological sites in southern Peru dating back to 200–300 BCE.

So the next time you wrap up in your alpaca blanket, remember it’s not only fuzzy and fashionable, it’s a family heirloom!

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