Alpaca

An alpaca (Vicugna pacos) is a domesticated species of South American camelid. It resembles a small llama in appearance.

These Earth animals have found their way off world as part of Colonist packages. While there were originially two breeds of alpaca; the Suri alpaca and the Huacaya alpaca. There are many more as of 5050.

Alpacas are kept in herds that graze on the level heights of mountainous regions of many planets.

Alpacas are considerably smaller than llamas, and unlike llamas, they were not bred to be beasts of burden, but were bred specifically for their fiber. Alpaca fiber is used for making knitted and woven items, similar to wool. These items include blankets, sweaters, hats, gloves, scarves, ponchos, socks, coats and bedding.

They are also raised as a source of meat.

The Union market for natural fibers especially for Alpaca fiber is not very big but the prices and demand is steady over many centuries.