There are 4 reasons that World of Owls have Alpacas at our centre!

1. Alpacas are a recognised deterant for foxes, which does away with electric fences, chemicals and destruction.

2. Our Alpacas are free to rome the centre when closed to the public to keep the grass down, and frighten off foxes.

3. They are beautiful friendly creatures and children will love to see and pet them (supervised by staff).

4. We have 3 as they are social creatures and can get lonley if on their own.

 

Alpacas are quiet, gentle and intelligent. Alpacas are social creatures and do well when kept with other alpacas. Particular in their habits, alpacas are very clean and will use the same place for a toilet, which assists in controlling their droppings.

Alpacas hold an appeal for children and enjoy human interaction.

Alpacas are found in two distinct types. Huacaya alpacas produce a fleece that is similar to wool from sheep. It is tightly crimped and stands perpendicular to the alpacas' body. These alpacas are the more common type. Good quality Huacaya alpacas will produce as much as 12 pounds of luxurious fleece every year.

Suri alpacas have a fleece that hangs in long curly locks. Suri alpacas' fleece has the general appearance of an angora goat. Suri alpacas are known for the lustre of their fleece, and highly desired in the commercial textile industry.

Alpacas were a cherished treasure of the ancient Incan civilization and played a central role in the Incan culture that was located on the high Andean Plateau and mountains of South America. Alpacas were first imported to the United Kingdom in the late 1980's. Alpacas are now being successfully raised and enjoyed throughout UK and abroad. The lifespan of the alpaca is about 20 years and gestation is 11.5 months. Alpacas eat grasses and chew a cud. Adult alpacas are about 36" tall at the withers and generally weigh between 100 and 200 pounds. They are gentle and easy to handle. Alpacas don't have incisors, horns, hooves or claws.