Country Gem§ Farm

Alpacas ~ Welcome To Our World

Alpacas...

Alpacas were domesticated, probably from vicunas, about 6000 years ago in South America.  There are no wild alpacas; they are entirely a human created species.  Since ancient times, the South American Andes Mountains have been the ancestral home to the prized alpaca. Their fleece was cherished by members of the Incan civilization (referred to as "The Fiber of the Gods"), and their graceful herds of alpaca roamed the lush foothills and mountainous pastures.

 

In the 17th century, Spanish conquistadors killed a large part of both the Incan and alpaca populations, forcing the retreating survivors to seek refuge in the high mountain plains known as the Altiplano. The high altitude and harsh landscape ensured only the hardiest of these creatures survived, and these ancestors of today's best bloodlines have provided a gene pool producing hardy, agile animals with dense, high quality fiber.

 

 In 1984, a small group of importers brought the first of a carefully selected herd of highest quality alpacas into the United States and Canada, and they immediately became a beloved part of the North American landscape.

 

Alpacas are rare, timid and gentle animals that are classified as livestock  not exotic animals, and may be the oldest domesticated livestock on the planet. They are members of the camelid family, which also includes dromedary and Bactrian camels, llamas, vicunas, and guanacos. They are a modified ruminant and chew their cud similar to a cow, although they have three stomachs rather than the true ruminant, which has four.

 

They're a lovable and beautiful herd animal but not overly affectionate.  Few alpacas like to be petted unless they are very relaxed.  But they're friendly on their own terms, they're curious and will be interested in whatever you're doing, and they're beautiful out in the pastures....