The vicugna pacos is a mammal, a species of the camelid, which resembles a small llama in appearance. Found in herds at the level heights of the Andes, approximately 3,500 to 5,000 m. above sea level, in southern Peru, northern Bolivia and Ecuador, and northern Chile.
Though their appearance is very similar to the llama, the difference is that alpacas are not bred to be beasts of burden but specifically for their fiber, in much the same way as sheep. Alpaca fiber is used for knitted and woven items such as blankets, sweaters, hats, gloves, scarves and various kinds of apparel. The fibers come in a variety of natural colors namely 52 as classified in Peru, 12 as classified in Australia and 16 as classified in the United States.