Fleece Color

Fleece color is dependent upon the presence or absence of pigment in skin and hair. It is a breedable trait. Many breeders place a lot of emphasis on color when building their herd.

White is considered to be the color of choice for an Alpaca. White fleece has no pigment or is an extemely diluted red pigment. White fiber may also be the result of a spot all over the body.

True white fleece is the number one choice for mills and home spinners. Because it has no pigment it can be dyed and hold true any color. It is also striking in its own right.

Black is the next most desired color of fiber. Some black Alpacas get faded or sunburned. This turns the fleece a reddish brown at the tips and can be very beautiful.

Black Alpacas can also have a light colored belly. There are red Alpacas with black trim. Brown or chocolate animlas can also come with black trim.

Fawn and Roan colors fall into the red category. Silver grays and blacks are considered blacks. Brown is brown. White is white. Multicolors are catorgorized based on their mix of colors.

The highest likelihood of getting the color you desire in your herd is to breed 2 Alpacas of the same color. Pintos do pop up anywhere. They are hard to get rid of. They are great for pet sales.

Color is fairly accurate if a breeder is familiar with the stud that is used. Look at the studs off spring or progeny. What color has he produced in the past when bred with that color female?

Skin pigmentation of sires and dams can also give a clue as to what color cria the stud will produce.

Animals with pink outer and inner lips, eyelids and toenails will produce white or light colors. Black lipped studs produce colored progeny if mated to a colored female.

A fawn color is produced when 2 black lipped white Alpacas are bred together. Remember that 2 Alpacas of the same color should also produce that color.

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