Updated January 5, 2007

In 1999, my mother Kim Morrison and I first fell in love with alpacas.  We purchased our first animals and created Eagle Hill Alpaca Ranch.

Alpacas are hardy animals and very easy to take care of.  They generally live 17 to 25 years.  Females mature early and are able to conceive at 12-14 months of age, sometimes producing a cria (baby) each year until their teens.  Crias are usually born around noon, so no sleepless nights! Due to the alpaca's small size (only 32 to 39" at the shoulder when mature), alpacas are easy to handle.   

Alpacas are bred for their luxurious fiber (although it should be noted that not all alpaca fleece is created equal ... some are not so luxurious!) which is shorn once a year. 

Domestication occurred around 5,000 years ago, possibly from the vicuna, to provide fine clothing.  The Vicuna was treasured by the ancient Inca civilization, their fine fleeces were reserved for Incan royalty