I love alpacas

[CatBenson]

This commercial drives me crazy. I get the sense that the only one making $ from this venture are the ones behind these commercials. I've seen like 1 of these animals my entire life - it reminded me of the push-me pull-me character.

Anywhoo, my guess is that they are raised for their hair much like sheep wool. Can one make a living and profit from this without owning a gazillion of them?

I'm thinking that I'd like to slow down some and these guys sure look cute.

[Uli]

[Jon Abbey]

alpacas rule, my wife also wants one (in theory, not in reality).

[Scott Dolan]

Is there a doctor in the house?

[Chris D]

My boss breeds alpacas as her hobby/side business. It's not cheap to get into; it's more like horse breeding than animal farming.

[Uli]

http://www.impactmovie.com/alpacas_nl/

[jesus marion joseph]

My wife is also convinced that we need an alpaca. I'll admit that they look cute, but I don't want no stinking alpaca.

[jesus marion joseph]

They look like they ought to have a giant spliff dangling out of their mouths.

[Surfer]

There's an alpaca farm just down the road from me, or maybe they're llamas, so hard to tell.

[jesus marion joseph]

Originally Posted by Surfer

There's an alpaca farm just down the road from me, or maybe they're llamas, so hard to tell.

Do they have spliffs in their mouths?

[Surfer]

Its the Santa Cruz Mountains, I think they just eat marijuana growing wild.

[clinthopson]

Alpaca is itchy.

[Scott Dolan]

Originally Posted by jesus marion joseph

Do they have spliffs in their mouths?

Hahahahaha....................

OK, now I have a small batch of snot to clean off of my computer screen....

[Chris D]

Originally Posted by clinthopson

Alpaca is itchy.

Not the good stuff. I have some fine woven alpaca wool socks that are the softest apparel I have ever owned.

[bluenoter]

From a quick check online, alpacas spit, just as llamas do.

When I was a kid, I was spit on by a llama at the zoo. The projectile was incredibly copious, gross, and accurate even from a few yards away. One does not want to be spit on by one of those creatures, no matter how cute it is.

[Uli]

[patricia]

Originally Posted by Chris D

Not the good stuff. I have some fine woven alpaca wool socks that are the softest apparel I have ever owned.

I'm with you, Chris. I have an ankle-length alpaca/silk cable-knit dress that is the most comfortable and sexy-feeling garment in my wardrobe. It's soft and has enough heft, because of the alpaca to not feel flimsy. Unlike most knit dresses, it doesn't bag from sitting, or bending my arms. I love it.
However, I also have an all-alpaca sweater that must be worn over a sturdy shirt or I'd itch to death.
The blends [and you don't need much of another natural fibre, usually about 10%silk] seem to be the most safe to buy, from a comfort standpoint.
Not cheap either. But, worth looking for.

[Brian Olewnick]

Alpaca's spit is sometimes canned and sold as

[patricia]

Though it's an acquired taste, some people will drink nothing else but Calpico Water when they go to parties, dances and other social functions.

[Gary Sisco]

I like to see them but I wouldn't want to work with them -- or any animal that can reach its head around as far as that neck will go. Horses can reach around far enough, thanks. Fast, too.