Alpaca Badge
Otter: Do 4 requirements including the 2 starred
_____ 1.* Learn about the basic care involved in owning an alpaca. What do they eat? How should they be
sheltered? What type of fencing should be used?
_____ 2.* Find out at least three things that are made from Alpaca fibers. If possible, find someone who owns
something made of alpaca and see what the fibers feel like.
_____ 3. Visit an alpaca farm in person if possible or online with the permission of a parent.
_____ 4. Alpacas are known to “spit” at people. Find out why.
_____ 5. Find out where alpacas come from originally and locate it on a map.
_____ 6. Alpacas and llamas are frequently confused, find out how to tell the difference between these two
animals.
Dolphin: Do 5 requirements including the 2 starred
_____ 1.* Complete Otter requirements 1 & 2. Add the following information to your knowledge about alpacas;
How much pasture do they need? How often do they need to be shorn?
_____ 2.* Visit an alpaca farm in person if possible or online with the permission of a parent.
_____ 3. Find out where alpacas come from originally and locate it on a map.
_____ 4. Alpacas are known to “spit” at people. Find out why.
_____ 5. Alpacas and llamas are frequently confused, find out how to tell the difference between these two
animals. How many types of alpaca are there?
_____ 6. What are the most common predators of alpacas and how can you best protect them?
_____ 7. Attend an alpaca show or shearing demonstration.
Butterfly: Do 6 requirements including the 2 starred
_____ 1.* Complete Dolphin requirements 1 & 2.
_____ 2.* What are the costs involved with owning an alpaca? What is their current market value? Where
would you purchase their food and how much would it cost each month? What could you expect in vet bills?
Would you shear them yourself or hire someone? Create a 1 year budget outlining the costs of caring for one or
more alpacas.
_____ 3. Visit an alpaca farm in person if possible or online with the permission of a parent.
_____ 4. What associations are available to alpaca owners and breeders in your area? What would be the
benefit of joining one of these associations. If no association is available in your area, what national associations
are there?
_____ 5. Alpacas and llamas are frequently confused, find out how to tell the difference between these two
animals. How many types of alpaca are there? How many natural colors do they come in?
_____ 6. How can owning alpacas be turned into a profitable business? What type of income can you expect per
animal?
_____ 7. Attend an alpaca show or shearing demonstration.
_____ 8. Volunteer to help at an alpaca farm for at least 4 hours.
Eagle: Do 7 requirements including the 2 starred
_____ 1.* Complete Butterfly requirements 1 & 2.
_____ 2.* What associations are available to alpaca owners and breeders in your area? What would be the
benefit of joining one of these associations. If no association is available in your area, what national associations
are there?
_____ 3. Visit an alpaca farm in person if possible or online with the permission of a parent.
_____ 4. How can owning alpacas be turned into a profitable business? What type of income can you expect per
animal?
_____ 5. Alpacas and llamas are frequently confused, find out how to tell the difference between these two
animals. How many types of alpaca are there? How many natural colors do they come in?
_____ 6. Attend an alpaca show or shearing demonstration.
_____ 7. Volunteer to help at an alpaca farm for at least 4 hours.
_____ 8. Interview someone who owns a profitable alpaca farm. Find out what they recommend for someone
who wishes to get started in the alpaca business.
_____ 9. There are numerous business strategy options when deciding to breed alpacas:
Purchasing one or more females (bred or open) and one male (a breeding pair) is a common strategy for
beginning alpaca owners.
Purchasing one or more females (bred or open) and obtaining the services of outside herd sires is another
common strategy.
The purchase of a premier herd sire to generate income from breeding commissions is another approach.
Others start out purchasing pet quality animals to "get their feet wet" in alpaca husbandry before deciding to turn
their hobby into a business.
Find out the benefits and drawbacks of each of the above strategies.