You might not have ever thought to look to alpacas for some fashion inspiration, but you might want to! Turns out – they rock some pretty unique and crazy hairstyles that might be just what you’re looking for! Or…maybe just chuckle at.
Here are 75 alpacas with some over-the-top hairstyles that will make you smile.
Alpacas are pretty cool animals – even aside from their hair! Keep reading for some great photos and interesting alpaca facts.
1) Wind-blown
This handsome alpaca has some gorgeous windswept hair with a bit of an ombre look to it. No product needed! They woke up like this.
This alpaca is rocking that “I don’t care about anything but I feel deeply about everything” kind of look. The freshly shaven neck makes the look extra funny.
“Alpacas were domesticated by the Incas more than 6,000 years ago and raised for their exquisite fleece. Due to its quality and all of its superhero characteristics, alpaca fiber was reserved exclusively for the elite and nobility,” says MNN.
“Alpaca fleece is as soft as cashmere and warmer, lighter and stronger than wool. It comes in 16 natural shades that can be dyed in bright colors,” says HPJ.
“In 1984, a small group of importers brought the first of a carefully selected herd to the United States and Canada, and they’ve been dotting the bucolic landscape ever since. The North American herd has grown from a few alpacas in zoos and private farms to about 20,000,” shared MNN.
“Alpacas are very social creatures. They are gentle and curious and with training can become great pets, according to Switzer. Herds often include animals of different species or taxonomic families, such as llamas, goats and sheep, according to the FAO,” shared LiveScience.
The trendy look in the alpaca community is bangs, apparently. And we have to say – they do look really great on them. More than can be said for most of us.
“When most people think of therapy animals they imagine dogs, but therapy alpacas are growing in popularity at hospitals, healthcare facilities and retirement homes around the world. For example, one couple in Australia has been providing therapy alpacas for 15 years. “They’re very sensitive and they’re very intuitive animals,” alpaca owner Nils Lantzke told The Canberra Times. “We find that after people have a talk and a pat with the alpaca, they become more relaxed and it makes the environment a lot happier for everyone.” said MNN.
“Alpaca fiber is much like sheep’s wool, but warmer and not itchy. It is lacking in lanolin, which makes it hypoallergenic and also allows it to be processed without the need for high temperatures or harsh chemicals in washing,” explains HuffPost.
“Alpacas in a herd all use the same area as a bathroom instead of defecating in random areas like many animals do. This behavior helps control parasites, according to the FAO. Males often have cleaner dung piles than females, according to Alpaca Ventures. Females tend to stand in a line and all go at once,” explains LiveScience.
“Technically their fiber is flame-resistant, meeting the standards of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s rigid testing specifications as a Class 1 fiber for use in clothing and furnishings,” shared HuffPost.
This young alpaca isn’t quite ready for a major haircut yet. So, for now – they’ll just be showing off their wispy, super soft wool that blows in the breeze.
“As herbivores, alpacas only eat vegetation. They eat mostly grass, but their diets can also include leaves wood, bark or stems. Like other ruminants, alpacas have a three-chambered stomach that digests the roughage efficiently,” said LiveScience.
“Like wool, alpaca fiber is water-resistant, but it can wick away moisture because of its unique ability to mimic cotton in moisture regain. These attributes are what make alpaca feel lighter than wool but warmer than cotton in cool and damp climates,” shared MNN.
“Alpacas come in two types: Suri and the huacaya. The suri has fiber that grows long and forms silky dreadlocks. The huacaya has a wooly, dense, crimped fleece — like a teddy bear — giving it a very wooly appearance. About 90 percent of all alpacas in the North America are huacayas,” shared HuffPost.
“Alpacas and llamas can successfully cross-breed. The offspring they create are known as huarizo, which are valued for their longer fleece,” said HuffPost.
“Alpacas breed once a year, and as livestock they are often induced to breed at any time. The female alpaca has a gestation period of 242 to 345 days and gives birth to just one offspring. The birthing process can take up to seven hours, according to National Geographic,” shared LiveScience.
“The International Union for Conservation of Nature does not have entries for alpacas on its Red List of Threatened Species. Guanacos (Lama guanicoe), however, are listed as Least Concern for extinction due to their wide range, large populations and occurrence in protected areas. Similarly, the IUCN lists vicuñas (Vicugna vicugna) as Least Concern,” said LiveScience.
“Alpaca fur is a very prized fiber for artisans and crafters. Alpaca fur is very soft and does not retain water. It is also very durable. According to National Geographic, alpaca fur is the second strongest animal fiber, after mohair,” said LiveScience.
“By comparison, the llama stands almost 4 feet (1.2 m) at the shoulder and weighs from 286 to 341 lbs. (130 to 155 kg). Camels grow to 6.5 feet (2 m) and weigh from 880 to 1,325 lbs. (400 to 600 kg), according to the San Diego Zoo,” said LiveScience.
“As in ancient days, alpacas are important to Andean herders, providing luxury fiber and meat. Their compact size contributes to easy management and to desirability as a companion animal. Alpacas easily learn to lead, jump in and out of vehicles, cush (sit down) and obey other simple commands. Alpacas are shorn for their valuable fleeces. Males produce approximately 8 pounds and females about 5 pounds of easily marketable fiber from their coats per year,” says National Zoo.
“Male alpacas reach sexual maturity when they are about 2 1/2 years old. Females are first bred at 16 to 20 months old. Alpacas are induced ovulators. They have no heat cycles and can breed at any time of the year. This means it takes the physical act of breeding to induce ovulation, making artificial insemination unfeasible,” explains National Zoo.
“Responsible breeders consider the weather and pasture conditions very carefully when planning their birthing schedules. An average gestation of 335 days (or about 11.5 months) produces a single baby (cria), which is usually delivered from a standing position during daylight hours. Crias are unusually large for the size of alpaca mothers that average between 120 and 140 pounds (54.4 to 63.5 kilograms),” said National Zoo.
“Mothers often give birth to babies weighing 16 to 22 pounds (7.2 to 10 kilograms). Newborn alpaca are not just large, they also grow rapidly. Mothers need plenty of good nutrition to support a growing cria that will usually weigh more than 100 pounds by the time it is a year old. Crias are generally weaned when they are 6 months old,” said National Zoo.
“Ninety-five percent of alpacas are huacayas. Their crimpy fiber grows perpendicular to the skin, giving them a wooly appearance. Suris have straight fiber that curls toward the ground, hanging in “dreadlocks.” However, because of their finer, less dense coat, the suri is not quite as adept at withstanding severe weather. The suri is rarer with only about 5,000 registered in the United States,” explains National Zoo.
75 Photos of alpacas that show they have the coolest haircuts
Ashley Fike
01.31.20
You might not have ever thought to look to alpacas for some fashion inspiration, but you might want to! Turns out – they rock some pretty unique and crazy hairstyles that might be just what you’re looking for! Or…maybe just chuckle at.
Here are 75 alpacas with some over-the-top hairstyles that will make you smile.
Alpacas are pretty cool animals – even aside from their hair! Keep reading for some great photos and interesting alpaca facts.
