The alpaca, a surefooted animal, is
                        smaller than the llama, has longer, softer wool, and ordinarily is not used as a beast
                        of burden. Like the llama and camel, it spits when angry. After 11 months? gestation
                        the female gives birth to one offspring. The young have short wool until they mature. 

                        Flocks of alpacas graze almost wild on high plateaus, 4267 to 4877 m (14,000 to
                        16,000 ft) above sea level. At shearing time the Indians drive them to the villages
                        and clip off about 20 cm (about 8 in) of the wool. The alpaca provides white, gray, or
                        yellow wool, although the black and dark brown fibers are especially valued. The
                        fiber is elastic and strong and is straighter and silkier than sheep?s wool. Although
                        the flesh of the alpaca is palatable, the animal is generally kept primarily for its
                        wool, from which a fine cloth is made.