Alpacas are quite rare, with only about 65,000 on the North American continent today. However, it is an increasing population, having risen from about 5,000 in 1993. Alpacas range in price from around $1,000 for a gelding to $25,000 or better for a high-quality, bred female. There are some animals that sell even higher, but these are generally herdsires who have proven their ability to pass along highly desirable characteristics to their offspring.

Kids and Crias Go Great Together! Alpacas are perhaps the world's gentlest creatures with a great affinity for children. They are never aggressive, are not large, (a mature animal weighs from 135 to 185 pounds), and they are gentle on the environment. Rather than hooves, they have pads on their feet similar to a dog's, with only two toenails. Instead of upper incisor teeth, they have only a hard pallet, so they cannot crop grass as closely to the ground as sheep or goats. 

Alpacas spit as part of their communication with each other--they almost never spit at humans. These appealing animals are easy to care for and have minimal space requirements, with five to ten fitting nicely upon one acre. Alpacas are basically healthy animals; there is no disease that is specific to alpacas. They are shorn once a year to harvest their fiber, which offers lots of opportunity for owners to try their hands at spinning, weaving, felting, etc. There is also a national co-op to assist in marketing the fiber, as well as numerous fiber festivals in every region.

1049 Miller Road • Mineral Point, WI 53565
Ph: 608-987-5400 Email:kackley@alpacasofprairiestation.com