AS TOLD BY LIL BIT O GOLD
Pacas are originally from South America. Pacas have
been domesticated approximately 6000 years. Once highly treasured by the
Inca civilization we beautiful, graceful creatures have become in modern
times what the Peruvians consider a gift from God. We are known and coveted
by modern day coutiers ( that is what a textile maker is called). We Pacas
are fairly new to the USA. We were first imported in 1984. They carefully
screened us and quarantined us. it was risky and expensive, but we are worth
it. There are now enough of us in this country to form an exciting new
industry of which I am a big part! (mom told me so).
There are two types of breeds of us, the Suri,
which has long fiber with no crimp and Huacaya (that's me) with fiber that
is very crimpy. The world population of pacas is comprised of 90% Huacaya
and 10% Suri.
We are ruminants, that means we have three stomachs
so we can utilize food efficiently. We are very easy to care for and clean
up after. (our moms teach us to go in one place) We are shorn once a year
(we get a haircut). Our fiber is grease free and very dense. It is said our
fiber is nicer than cashemere and warmer and lighter than sheep's wool. We
grow about 4 to 5 pounds per year. Our fiber is very strong and soft. Many
people who can not wear sheep's wool can wear paca right next to their skin
! Cria (that's baby-that's what I am) is much desired in the fiber industry
for its fineness.
