Baby Alpacas

The first time I saw them I fell in love with them.

Baby alpacas.

Baby alpacas are a breed of llama imported to the United States from Peru. They look like the llama but they are smaller, cuter in appearance and come in a variety of colors. Their wool is double or triple the smoothness of regular sheep wool. In addition, they are half as heavy and twice as warm.

Think of a cross between a sheep and a poodle and then think of this cross being painted by an artist in different shades of white, black and brown.

In addition, think of the alpaca as a canvas for a hyperactive artist. Its like a monochromatic portrait that walks, in that its color combination is unlike any other mammal on the face of the earth.


The wool of the baby alpaca is cut during the springtime since they are uncomfortable wearing it when the weather is too warm. They remained covered by their soft and elegant wool all winter long and the better part of autumn but as soon as spring arrives they all receive a shearing.

This weekend we went to the "Alpaca : A Different Kind of Livestock" fair in Boonsboro, Maryland where alpaca enthusiasts from the East Coast and other parts of the US congregate to sell and trade alpacas. They are also there to bring their kids to touch the wool of these elegant and extremely friendly animals.

Alpacas are not bothered by human interaction. In fact, as soon as they see a visitor approaching their pens they run towards and not away from the visitor. Think peacock but think humble and gentle peacocks. They are almost as big as small camels but they loved to be pet by humans and it shows in their lovely expressive eyes.

Baby alpacas.

You are not human if you don't fall in love with these angels in hooves. For me, it was love on first sight. But then, I'm a hopeless romantic.