A domesticated species of South American camelid, alpacas resemble a llama although smaller, and unlike llamas, they were not bred to be beasts of burden, but were bred specifically for their fiber. Their fiber, similar to wool, is used for making woven items and a wide variety of textiles in South America. Alpaca fiber comes in more than 52 natural colors as classified in Peru.

Alpacas are kept in herds that graze on the level heights of the Andes of southern Peru, northern Bolivia, Ecuador, and northern Chile at an altitude of 3,500 m (11,500 ft) to 5,000 m (16,000 ft) above sea level, throughout the year. They can live for up to 20 years.