Llama
Native to the Andean Mountains in South America, llamas are a member of the camelid family. They are a pack animal well adapted for high altitude. Llamas have been domesticated by the people of the Andes and can travel up to 20 miles a day with ~50lb pack.
They are highly valuable as every part of the llama can be used from the dung to the meat and fleece. Leather is made from their hides and their dung can be dried and burned as fuel.
There are 3 types of llamas, non-wooly, woolly and in-between. Llamas fleeces can be single or double coated and fleece is categorized as “hair” not “wool.” Llamas will yield anywhere from 2 – 15 lbs of fleece per year with a staple length between 3″ – 8″. The micron count is largely varied between 16-45 micron (not including guard hairs)
Crossbreeding is possible to create unique hybrids. Huarizo’s are a llama-alpaca cross.
Ideal for spinning due to its clean, odorless greaseless fleece. The fleece is best carded and mixed with wool of similar characteristics and micron. Great for knitting blankets, sweaters, and accessories close to the skin.
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