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One mammal reared mainly for their wool is the Alpaca.Alpacas are a domesticated mammal that's derived from thefamily of camels. Genetics has determined that Alpacas aredescendants of Vicunas. Alpaca are found in the highlandsand parts of Peru, Bolivia and Chile. Green grasses are themain sources for food and water for hydration.

Alpaca is one of the four species of fiber producing animalsreared in South America. The other three are Ilama, guanacoand vicuna. Among these alpaca and Ilama are the domesticanimals whereas vicuna and guanaco stray around. The formertwo are reared because they produce wool. Alpaca providesgood amount and quality of wool whereas vicuna has a softand fine coat. The hair obtained from the Alpaca in theearly 19th century were as long as 12 inches but these daysthe length has decreased and is almost the half of it.Besides, white, brown, and black, the fleeces of alpaca aregrey and fawn in color. The yarn produced from mixing allthese colors is ginger colored, which is further dyed inblack.

Incas initially raised the Alpaca for good quality wool butdue to hybridization of the Alpaca and the Ilama, thequality of wool was dramatically reduced. These wools werelater exported to Europe since it was discovered that alpacacloth can be made out of the wool. Currently, raising alpacais practiced highly in Canada, USA, and other such nations.It is seen as one of the growing industries in thesenations.

Alpacas appears similar in shape and size to sheep. Theyare a little taller, height with a high erect neck and abetter shaped head. Just like sheep they are domesticated inlarge flocks. Alpacas have a peculiar habit of spitting liketheir counterparts Ilamas.

Alpaca is also the term used by textile industry for woolderived from Peruvian alpaca and the type of fabric madefrom alpaca fiber. The latter is more frequently used. Thesedays this alpaca fiber is made from mohair, English wool andIcelandic sheep wool. The traders differentiate betweenthese two types of fibers, although buyers fail to identifythe original alpaca.