Welcome to tre_alpacas – we are a small, lovingly managed alpaca farm with 11 friendly alpacas that not only capture hearts but also conquer pastures. As keepers with great passion and daily contact with our fluffy friends, we know how fascinating these animals truly are. Our mission: to make the magic of alpacas tangible – online and on-site. With our Alpaca Online Shop, we want to offer you sustainable products that come directly from the world of our animals.
You can find more insights on our Instagram channel: @tre_alpacas
Alpaca Facts Briefly Answered
How old do alpacas get?
Alpacas typically live for about 15 to 20 years. Good care, proper nutrition, and regular health checks contribute to a long, healthy life.
What do alpacas eat?
In the pasture, alpacas primarily eat grass. Hay, fresh water, and appropriate mineral supplements are also part of responsible husbandry.
What sound does an alpaca make?
Alpacas hum. This gentle sound can express well-being, contact, or uncertainty – we hear it particularly often from Carlo and Fiete.
Can alpacas be kept alone?
No. Alpacas are social herd animals and need companions. Therefore, appropriate husbandry begins with a suitable group and sufficient space.
What makes alpacas so special?
Alpacas belong to the camel family and originally come from the South American Andes. Over 6,000 years ago, the Incas kept them for their exceptionally soft wool. But today, they captivate us not only with their wool but with their unique nature: curious, gentle, social – and sometimes a little stubborn.
Their ability to communicate with glances, sounds, and body language fascinates us anew every day. Additionally, alpacas have a low ecological footprint, making them true heroes of sustainable animal husbandry.
Fun Fact #1: Alpacas hum – and what they tell us with it
One of the first things visitors hear at our farm is the gentle humming of the alpacas. This sound is calming – and that's precisely its function. Alpacas hum when they feel good, but also when they want to say something: "I'm here," "Something feels off," or "Where's my favorite friend?" – all of that is in the hum.
Our male alpacas, Carlo and Fiete, are true humming experts and chat for hours – usually while ruminating or observing the chickens. Each animal has its own "voice," so we now know exactly who is "speaking."
Fun Fact #2: Alpacas don't bathe – they dust shower
While other animals love water, alpacas prefer what is known as a dust bath. They enthusiastically roll around in dry earth or sand. This may look dirty to us, but it serves an important purpose: the dust protects their skin from parasites and helps them cool down – especially on hot summer days.
Our mare Lotti has a very specific favorite dust spot behind the barn – she practically queues up if someone else is already in it.
Fun Fact #3: The social structures in the alpaca herd
Alpacas are real team players. They live in fixed herd structures with clear hierarchies. There are dominant animals, calm mediators, and playful "class clowns." These roles also change over time – just like with humans. If you look closely, you'll recognize true personalities.
Our alpacas live in a stable group – and woe betide if someone is missing from the morning round. Then there's anxious humming and a search for the "missing" animal. This strong social behavior also makes them popular therapy and visitor animals.
Fun Fact #4: Alpacas have favorite friends
Being social also means real friendships for alpacas! Some animals spend almost the entire day together – they lie together, eat side by side, and communicate intensely. Our two geldings, Toni and Paco, are such a dream team.
If one has to go for shearing, the other stays very close to the fence and waits. This behavior shows how emotionally connected alpacas can be. It touches us anew every time and makes it clear how important respect and care are in animal husbandry.
Fun Fact #5: Alpacas spit – but only when absolutely necessary
One of the most well-known (and most feared) prejudices about alpacas is: "They spit, don't they?" – Yes, they do. But not without reason. Spitting in alpacas is a clear signal within the herd, usually related to food jealousy or hierarchy. So it's more of an "I was here first" statement than aggression.
Interestingly, alpacas are usually very reserved with this behavior towards humans – unless you get between two quarreling animals. This has only happened to us once so far – we call it "the incident with the carrot bucket."
Fun Fact #6: The language of the ears: How alpacas communicate
Anyone who observes our alpacas for a longer time quickly realizes: their ears speak volumes. Pointed forward means attention, turned to the side means relaxation. If they are laid back, it means: "I feel uncomfortable" or "Don't come too close."
This non-verbal communication makes alpacas particularly fascinating animals – they speak without words, but with clear body language. As keepers, we learn something new every day – our daily "alpaca language lesson."
Fun Fact #7: 22 color variations – and how this influences our alpaca wool
Alpacas come in 22 officially recognized color variations – from snow white to caramel to deep black. This diversity is unique among livestock and directly influences our products in the Alpaca Online Shop.
Because: Undyed wool in these colors does not need to be chemically dyed – this is not only ecological but also skin-friendly. Our shearing is sorted by color, and every item in the shop thus carries its own, completely natural touch.
Fun Fact #8: Alpacas and their healing effect – why they are therapy animals
Alpacas exude calmness – even stressed people notice this after a few minutes. Studies show that contact with alpacas can lower blood pressure and relieve anxiety. That's why they are increasingly used in animal-assisted therapy, e.g., with children with ADHD, seniors, or traumatized people.
We ourselves have experienced many touching encounters. Paco, in particular, has a fine sense for moods – he often approaches people who seem anxious or sad very carefully as the first one. A silent moment that sometimes says more than words.
Fun Fact #9: Alpacas are sustainable lawnmowers – environmentally friendly and efficient
With their soft soles and natural tendency for selective grazing, alpacas are ideal landscape managers. They only eat the upper parts of plants and do not pull out roots – this keeps the turf intact.
Furthermore, they leave their "droppings" very precisely in certain places. This makes cleaning easy and the fertilizer particularly efficient. Some customers of our shop use our alpaca fertilizer pellets for their beds – 100% organic, 0% odor.
Fun Fact #10: Alpacas sleep standing AND lying down
Although they usually lie relaxed on the ground and doze in a "cuddle pile," alpacas can also sleep standing up – especially within the herd. They remain attentive and react lightning fast to noises.
Especially at night, they take turns: some animals rest, others watch. This natural vigilance comes from their wild ancestors in the Andes – there it was important to be prepared for pumas or other predators.
Why we love our alpacas – Insights from the stable
Each of our 11 alpacas has its own character. There's Franzl, the cautious dreamer, or Lotta, the curious explorer. We know their quirks, their preferences, and their strengths – and that's exactly what makes the daily work so fulfilling.
It's not always easy: early mornings, grooming, health checks. But the moment an alpaca looks at you with its big eyes and then slowly approaches – that is priceless. And it's precisely this love that we want to share with you – in our products, encounters, and online content.
Our alpaca products in the online shop – from the pasture to the wool
Whether handmade hats, cozy scarves, or comforting duvets – all products in our Alpaca Online Shop and alpaca farm shop near Würzburg were created with partners who share our values. Sustainability, animal welfare, and quality are our top priorities.
Particularly popular are:
- Alpaca gifts for nature lovers
- Alpaca wool in natural colors
- Vouchers for alpaca walks
With every purchase, you bring a piece of real alpaca love home.
Alpaca love that connects – even online across the screen
Alpacas are more than just fluffy trend animals – they are fascinating, intelligent, and social beings that enrich our lives. With this article, we want to share our experiences, knowledge, and love for these animals with you.
Whether you're looking for an alpaca product, have a question, or simply want to immerse yourself in the world of alpacas – we warmly invite you: Visit our shop or follow us on Instagram @tre_alpacas for daily updates from the stable.
