Alpacas belong to the camel family and are native to the Andes Mountains in South America. First imported to the United States in the 1980s, there are approximately 16,000 in the country now. About half the size of their cousin, the llama, alpacas live 18-25 years and come in 22 colors as well as numerous color combinations. Because they have only bottom front teeth and a soft top palate, they do not bite.

There is a ban on imports and no more can come into the country, but alpaca owners and breeders across the country are trying to build up enough of a herd to establish a fiber market here. Alpaca fiber is among the softest of all animal fibers, seven times warmer and three times stronger than sheep's wool, and it is not scratchy. The fleece does not contain lanolin, which is usually what causes allergies, so it's practically hypoallergenic.

Suri alpacas, like those at Windswept, are distinguished from other alpacas by the long, separate locks of their fleece. Their average height is 36 inches at the shoulderand they weigh between 150-185 pounds.

Females have only one baby, called a cria, each year.

We hope you will stop by Windswept Farm if you are in this area to see our alpacas and visit.

Herd Count Statistics

Females: 1 Huacaya, 5 Suri
Males: 0 Huacaya, 1 Suris
Geldings: 0 Huacaya, 1 Suri

A total of 8 alpacas reside at the Windswept Alpaca Farmstead.

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Member of Alpacanation

Member of The Suri Network

Member of the OABA (Ohio Alpaca Breeders Association)

Member of the AOBA (Alpaca Owners and Breeders Association)