Alpaca: what is this creation?

Visiting the zoo, in the department of the corpulent (or camel), we can see an unusual living being, similar to a lama. Who is it? Alpaca. What kind of animal is that? It can be found on the highland pastures of South America (in Peru). Quite large, weighing up to 70 kg animal, with a slender body, gracefully curved long neck and thick, like fleece sheep, wool - all this is alpaca. What is this creation? It belongs to the family of Camels and is a relative of the lama and a descendant of vicuña. He has a calm, even mild temper, people are afraid, but at the same time very curious.

Alpaca has tremendous adaptability to harsh environmental conditions. It can live and reproduce on highland pastures, where the difference between night and day temperatures is 30 ^о С, where high intensity of sun exposure and dank cold winds. This is alpaca. What kind of animal is this, where and in what conditions does it live, we have figured out. Interesting fact: it refers to agricultural, although it is contained mostly in semi-wild condition and is driven into a kind of stall only for a haircut. It is not hard to guess what his people are bred (by the way, for more than six thousand years) because of the wool. After all, it is her unique qualities that give alpaca an opportunity to survive in such unskillful conditions.

What are the positive properties of the coat?

• Light, thin, but strong, very dense, water repellent.
• Does not have a "memory of form."
• Fibers are hard, long, straight.
• The structure of the hair of the wool is such that its surface is smooth, unlike the sheep, thanks to this, alpaca clothing is so comfortable.
• Can have more than 20 natural shades, does not need painting. This fleece is white, silver, light brown, chestnut, black and intermediate variations.
• Effectively isolates both from cold and from heat.

And yet: almost not covered with greasy alpaca wool. What does it mean? This property explains why it is so light and non-allergic, does not roll down and does not fall down, is less susceptible to contamination. Two species of alpaca that exist in nature differ in the nature of the wool. One of them has a long one, while the other has a short one and resembles a plush. The younger the animal, the thinner and softer its wool. Four thicknesses of the rune are distinguished by its thickness.

Yarn from alpaca wool is expensive, but it can be understood. Its properties are unique, it surpasses the sheep in all respects, and the nastrigue is only up to 5 kg per year from one individual.

An unusual creation is alpaca. The photo, which is presented here, demonstrates the ineffable grace of these half-savage creatures.

Now there is no doubt that the list of agricultural socially useful animals is not exhausted by the list: a cow, a horse, a dog, a chicken and others ... Other types of living beings - producers of various products, for example, an alpaca animal - also exist successfully. From his wool yarn is produced, from which knit clothing is made by hand or by machine. Also from the fleece you can make blankets, carpets, home decor.