Fun facts to read PRIOR to your visit!
WHAT IS AN ALPACA? An alpaca is a member of the camelid family, which includes camels, llamas and alpacas. Alpacas are the smallest in the species standing 2-3 feet smaller than a llama. Alpacas also have the softest fiber in the species. We raise alpacas for their world-famous luxurious, soft fleece which is technically called fiber. We will talk more about fiber later. ? There are two types of alpacas: ? Huacaya (Pronounced waa-kai-a) ? Suri ? Alpacas are not pets, but in fact, livestock and MUST live in a herd; They are safety in numbers and they will literally die of loneliness if kept alone ? The only defense they have is to spit or kick (more of this later in the rules ) ? Alpacas have a soft padded foot with two toes so luckily when they kick it doesn't hurt so bad!! ? A male alpaca is called a herdsire and a female alpaca is called a Dam ? A baby alpaca is called a Cria ? Alpacas live for 15-20 years
WHERE DO ALPACAS COME FROM? Alpacas are native to South America and originally came from places like Peru, Bolivia and Chile. They were bred for 5000 years in the Andes Mountains by Incan tribes before being imported into the USA. Often considered the “fiber of the gods”, alpaca fiber was only worn by Incan royalty. Alpaca fiber was used as currency of the Inca and was considered so valuable that it was stored in vaults an under constant guard.
WHAT IS ALPACA FIBER? Alpacas are raised for their luxurious coat called FIBER which is: ? 3 times warmer than wool YET cooler than cotton ? Hypoallergenic and flame resistant. ? It comes in 22 colors naturally from black to gray to fawn and everything in between! Fun patterns too!! ? White is the most popular color because once it is shorn from the animal, it can be dyed at the fiber mill to become any color. ? Alpacas are shorn once a year in the spring before the summer heat ? Each animal yields 3 to 10 pounds of fiber. Uses for Alpaca Fiber: We offer a variety of alpaca products in our store which include; Scarves, hats, gloves, fingerless gloves and stuffed animals such as alpacas and teddy bears which are made from baby alpaca fiber. Guaranteed to be THE SOFTEST bear you will ever touch!! The BEST thing made from alpaca fiber are SOCKS Because alpaca fiber has a hollow core it is breathable yet insulating all at the same time. This fiber makes is possible for the native South Americans to live at such high altitudes where it is freezing more than 320 nights a year but 80 degrees in the day time.
And last but not least
- No standing at their back end. Any livestock can and will kick.
- Sometimes alpacas can spit; generally they spit at each other and you get caught in the cross fire ? - No running or jumping around; they are shy creatures and will only come around if you are calm ? -- Do not open any gates; the staff will assist with that ?
- Use a flat hand when feeding them ?
- Closed Toed shoes only allowed on the farm; white sneakers aren't the best choice?
? Have LOTS of FUN and take LOTS of PICTURES to share them on our Facebook Page and Inst
Please call us with any questions or write them down for your visit!
Farm address is: 1148 Somers Point Rd Egg Harbor Twp, NJ 08234 Blue farm sign at entrance to the driveway
Warning; Alpacas will steal your heart
August 22, 2020