Kay Burtoft's Contact Details

Kay Burtoft's Company Details

Capture Your Heart Alpacas

N/A, N/A, US • 5 - 9 Employees
Agriculture

History of Alpacas Alpacas and humans have co-existed for over 5000 years. Alpaca fiber clothed royalty in the Incan civilization. Alpacas are a domesticated member of the camel (camelid) family. The camelid family also includes llamas, guanacos, and vicunas from South America, and the Bactrian and Dromedary camels from Asia and Africa. This family of animals originated on the plains of North America about 10 million years ago. A common ancestor to the SouthAmerican camelids migrated to South America about 2.5 million years ago.Since the major first importation into the U.S. in 1984, the North American herd has increased from a few alpacas in zoos and private collections to about 150,000. Alpacas are popular internationally for their luxury fiber and as pet, show, and investment animals. A major of the world's population of alpacas are in Peru, Chile and Bolivia. In the U.S. we have alpaca ranches in every state and the national herd is growing every year. By July 2000, there were 29,856 registered alpacas and the number of owners has grown from 146 in 1991, to 2,919 in 2000. It is now reported that there are over 150,000 registered alpacas and in excess of 4,000 breeders. The scarcity of alpacas is based on their slow rate of reproduction. Usually females give birth to one baby at a time with a gestation period of 11 months. Because of this slow reproductive rate, it will take a long time to drive the price of breeding stock down and top animals will always bring top dollars. Importation of alpacas from South America is difficult, expensive due to quarantine restrictions, and the Alpaca Registry has been closed to new imports since December 31, 1998. If you are interested in buying or just interested in information please let us know and we will be happy to add any additional information you require.