The origin and history of alpacas are very ancient, dating back to south america over 4,000 years ago In fact, from hieroglyphics found in peru, it can be deduced that the alpaca was the first domesticated livestock in the world. From their ancient origins in the andes mountains to their current status as beloved companions and fiber producers worldwide, alpacas have traversed a remarkable journey shaped by history, culture, and human ingenuity. Alpacas are cute, furry animals that are native to the andes mountains of south america They are known for their soft wool, which has been highly valued by humans for thousands of years. Spanning the borders of peru, chile and bolivia, this area of the andes averages nearly 4000 metres above sea level, they are one of four camelid species including vicuna, guanaco and llama.
Alpacas are one of the domesticated members of the camel (camelid) family which also includes llamas, guanacos, and vicunas from south america, and the bactrian and dromedary camels from asia and africa This family of animals originated on the plains of north america about 10 million years ago. Origin and importance of alpacas Alpacas originally come from the high andes of south america, especially peru, bolivia and chile Alpacas have been domesticated for over 5,000 years, originating in the andes mountains of south america They were highly valued by the inca civilization for their luxurious fleece, which was reserved for royalty.
Their wild ancestor, the vicuña, still roams these rugged landscapes.
OPEN
