Vicugna pacos or Alpaca is a native species to South America.
They are kept in herds that graze at high altitudes in the Andes
of Ecuador, southern Peru, northern Bolivia and northern Chile,
year round. They look similar to sheep, but are larger and have
long erect necks. Alpacas only have fleece fibers, not woolen
fibers, and are used for woven and knitted items including
blankets, sweaters, hats, coats and other textile goods as well
as ponchos in South America. Alpaca fiber comes in many
different natural colors including 52 classified in Peru. Alpaca
in the textile industry primarily refers to the hair or fleece
fiber of Peruvian alpaca. Indigenous sources the majority of our
alpaca fiber from outside of Arequipa, Peru in the Puno and
Cusco areas, close to many artisan work groups. These alpacas
are free range roaming animals with pasture rotation. The
alpacas are not fed hormones and do not receive chemical
dippings for ticks or parasites. There are no chemical
ingredients allowed on the land or animals.