While the suri has longer fiber that hangs off the body forming "pencil locks" and a part down the animals spine, the huacaya has shorter fiber with "crimp" that tends to stand perpendicular to the animal's body giving it a fluffy, soft appearance. Huacayas have a much larger population worldwide.

Alpacas are submissive, smart and trainable and therefore easy to handle and shear. Fencing is primarily to keep predators out and animals separated for breeding purposes. Alpacas will rarely challenge a fence. While in Vermont we provide our animals with four walls for those high "wind chill" days, they are naturally hardy and do well in most climates with a three-sided shelter. Because alpacas are metabolically very efficient, a single acre of quality pasture can support 5-10 animals, depending on pasture management. These traits make alpacas the perfect livestock for the hobby farmer, the "cottage" fiber artist, or the professional herdsman.