The suri alpaca

Moms and their crias (a cria is a baby alpaca)

The suri alpaca evolved from the rare and still-wild vicuna. The alpaca is also cousin to two other camelid family members: the llama and the guanaco. Treasured by Inca rulers, suri fiber was reserved exclusively for Inca royalty, with the offense of anyone other than royalty wearing suri fiber punishable by death.

The very unique, rope-like, twisted locks of the suri easily distinguish that fiber style from the compact, spongy - or often fluffy - huacaya fiber appearance. Suri fiber locks, made up of high-luster fibers, drape down the sides of the body in a twisted or flat form of various size. Suri fiber has a slick hand and softness with an exquisite luster.

Today, it is estimated that less than 150,000 suris exist world-wide, with one or two percent of these being colored. On the world market, the suri fleece is in high demand for its luster and hand (or softness) for the high fashion textile markets, and today commands a premium price.

Ours is a growing industry, and the suri market is very strong. As evidence, almost every major, national alpaca auction consists of 50% suris and 50% huacayas, even though suris only comprise 20% of the U.S. population - proof of the high market demand.

Suri alpacas have extraordinary vigor and intelligence. They are also easy to raise and have great adaptability to both hot and cold climates, which makes them an excellent investment anywhere in the United States.

--excerpted from Purely Suri Magazine, Volume 1, Number 1

Grazing in the pastures

Some common misspellings include: alpacsa,
alpaacs,alpcaas,aplacas,alpacs,alpcas,apacas,lpacas,alapcas,

Home of the suri alpaca