Crossword Dictionary
Alpaca
Alpacas (vicugña pacos) are members of the Camelid Family and are a domesticated species of the South American camelid. Camelids originated in North America over 40 million years ago. Camels migrated east via the Bering Strait and llamas migrated to South America.
Today there are five recognized camelids breeds: camels, llamas, guanacos, alpacas and vicunas. They vary by size and purpose, some being used primarily as pack animals and others valued for their fiber. All are used in a secondary meat market. Camels, llamas, and alpacas have been domesticated for thousands of years, whereas guanacos and vicunas continue to roam freely in herds. Many people are familiar with humped camels, the dromedary of Northern Africa, the Middle East, and Southern Asia, and the Bactrian camel of China and Tibet. Next in size is the llama (domesticated guanaco) followed by the alpaca (domesticated vicuna).
The alpaca comes in two breed types: huacaya (pronounced wuh KAI ya) and suri (SUR ee). Huacayas, the more common type, account for about 85-90% of all alpacas. The two breed types vary primarily in terms of their fiber.
Alpaca Wool
Wool derived from alpacas can be either heavy or light depending on how it is spun, which means that it is ideal for a number of different kinds of garments. Compared to sheep wool, alpaca wool is considerably softer, and it is also more durable.
The fibers that are used to make this type of wool are equipped with tiny air pockets, and these minuscule spaces provide enhanced breathability. At the same time, these fibers are highly insulative, and alpaca wool is considered to be one of the warmest types of animal fibers. In addition, this type of wool is highly water-resistant, and it is hard to set on fire.