Alpacas Information
The alpaca is a small camelid domesticated more than 5000 years ago by the Amerindians, it is native to the Andes Cordillera where it is found up to 4500 meters above sea level.
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Herbivorous, it has a very efficient digestive system which allows it to extract a maximum of energy from the herbs that it consumes even the poorest.
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Gregarious, he needs the company of his family and can die of boredom if left alone.
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The alpaca moves in groups if it is worried and gives a shrill cry to give the alert in case of danger.
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He communicates with soft "hums" and other sounds of his own.
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When it grazes, it cuts the grass but does not pull it out.
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Clean, they do all their needs in selected places, always the same and their manure can be composted in just 1 month and can even be used fresh in gardens where it works wonders!
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Predictable, calm, lively and curious, it is a very endearing animal.
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The male is called Macho, the female Hembra and the little Cria.
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The alpaca must be mowed once a year for the Huacaya and every two years for the Suri.
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The foot has two pads and two hooves that must be trimmed at least once a year, when mowing for example.
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These are animals that do not have a rutting period, ovulation is induced by mating.
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Some characteristics:
Adult weight 50 to 80 kg
Height 90cm at 1 meter at the withers
Lifespan 15/25 years
Gestation 335 to 360 days
There are two types of alpacas:
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The Huacaya which has a fluffy and soft fleece
The Suri, with the fiber hanging down in shiny locks
La laine d’Alpaga fait l’objet d’études pour en décrire les caractéristiques car des données préliminaires suggèrent des propriétés fort intéressantes.
1# La caractéristique la plus étonnante est probablement son effet anti-bactériologique (bactériostatique). Cette laine semble poser de grandes difficultés aux bactéries pour se multiplier. Outre l’intérêt hygiénique évident, un 2ème effet en découle, la réduction des odeurs des vêtements liées à la transpiration. Celle-ci favorise la prolifération de ces bactéries, la fibre d’Alpaga semble la réduire.
2# La laine d’Alpaga semble hypoallergénique, c’est-à-dire provoquant moins d’allergies cutanée par rapport à d’autres laine. La Lanoline qui peut provoquer ces réactions cutanées est inexistante.
3# Elle est non-irritante et peut donc être portée par tous, c’est assez rare pour une laine.
4# Les propriétés thermiques sont intéressantes car les données suggèrent que cette laine maintienne la chaleur entre 5 et 7 fois plus qu’une laine de mouton. Cela signifie que 2 mm d’épaisseur aurait le même effet de maintien de la chaleur qu’une laine de mouton de 10 mm.
5# La Respirabilité ou perméabilité de la laine d’alpaga est intéressante car les échanges thermiques et d’humidité sont favorables de sorte qu’a l’inverse d’un tissu imperméable (qui tient chaud mais provoque un confinement de l’humidité corporelle et un surcroit de transpiration), on a chaud, sans hypertranspiration. Ainsi, ces propriétés de circulation d’air permettent de faire du sport avec un vêtement en laine d’Alpaga.
6# Enfin elle est biodégradable, peu inflammable et produit peu d’électricité statique.
Article écrit pour la Maison de la Maille: https://www.lamaisondelamaille.com/ par le Professeur Fabrice DENIS MD,PhD
Oncologie Radiothérapie
E-santé/IA Faculté de Santé - Université de Paris
e-PRO's task force (European Society of Medical Oncology)
Institut Inter-Regional de Cancérologie Jean Bernard
9 rue Beauverger
72000 Le Mans
France