In the know about alpacas

Here are some facts about alpacas from Susan and Ron Waldron.

They are extremely gentle and learn to trust their owners. However, their temperament has been compared more to cats than dogs.

"They really like to see you, but on their own terms," said Susan.

Females and males have to be kept separate when the males start to mature -- around a year old.

Males develop two very sharp fighting teeth that have to be removed or filed because the animals try to castrate each other with them.

Alpacas are called partial ruminants because they have three stomachs. They are from the Andes Mountains in South America and are related to camels.

It is most convenient to ranchers to have babies born in the fall or spring, but alpaca females can be fertile year-round.

Susan Neri-Waldron said she has never been spit at in more than five years of raising alpacas.

"If they spit at you it's very gross. You would take a shower right now," she said.

Alpacas are easy to care for and susceptible to few health problems.

Suri alpacas generally cost $12,000 to $15,000. Alpacas not used for breeding can sell for much less, say $500 or $1,000. These can be used for fleece production.

One of the joys of suburban alpaca farmers is that the animals are raised in the United States for their fleece, not for meat.

Alpacas are about 36 inches tall at the shoulders and weigh between 150 and 200 pounds, according to the Illinois Alpaca Owners and Breeders Association.

-- Deborah Donovan