Genetics is the science of how traits pass down generation to generation. Many people think that genetics is a predictive science-accurately predicting the next baby to hit the ground. Alas, genetics does not work that way. Instead, genetics can be viewed as a science of possibilities. Genetics can help with predicting the overall range of […]
Suri fiber is a notable exception to what is considered a truism in the textile industry. In the world of fiber producing livestock, suri is an anomaly. Generally, in either industry, the finer the fiber, the shorter the staple length. The world’s finest fibers, like vicuna and cashmere, are usually no longer than one inch […]
In the central European country of Peru, a plethora of flora and fauna inhabit themselves of which one of the foremost is the alpaca. They are quite similar in appearance to the llama or the South American camelid and initially they were domesticated by the Moche people who inhabited a part of the Peruvian territory. […]
Camelids are even-toed ungulates: hoofed mammals, distinguished by their elongated double-toed splayed feet. They are mostly large, plant-eating animals that differ from ruminants, such as cows and sheep, in several important ways: they have a three- chambered stomach (as opposed to four), a divided upper lip with each half separately mobile, a tooth in the […]
Knitting wool is created by first shearing the wool off the animal. There are different types of wool including lambs wool, sheep wool, alpaca wool, and llama wool. Shearing means that the animal’s hair is shaved back and collected to use for clothing, towels, and other cloth items. Shearing does not hurt the animals and […]
Wool, Mohair, Alpaca, and Llama fiber can be washed to remove dirt and grease and spun with or without being carded. A lingerie bag works wonderfully. Shake fiber and pull apart to remove as much vegetable matter as possible, then put into lingerie or sweater bag. There are excellent wool or natural fiber detergents specifically […]
Although it might seem strange, llamas actually make great pets. They have sweet, gentle personalities and are usually very affectionate with their owners. You can even train them to do certain things!
Llamas originated from the plains of North America. They have been around for about 40 million years! They are now found in South America […]
Llamas are animals which live on high altitudes of the Andes. Like the Afro-Asian camel, these are pseudo-ruminants; unlike true ruminants they have only three stomachs rather than four. The llama is a domestic animal that has lived with humans since time immemorial. The coat of the llama protects it not just from the cold […]