Buyer question
How long does a Suri live?
Our Animal Library gives the Suri a lifespan of 15–20 years.
Source: the Suri page in the Everybarn Animal Library. Suri in the Animal Library
The detail
Suri alpacas grow long, silky fleece that hangs in twisting locks with a high luster, very different from the fluffy huacaya. They are the rarer of the two alpaca types and are bred for fiber prized in fine, drapey fabrics.
- Hardiness
- 3 out of 5 (Needs shelter when wet)
- Origin
- Andes of Peru, Bolivia and Chile
- Best fit
- Fiber breeders, fiber artists
- Temperament
- Gentle, herd-bound, wary
What to weigh
Suri fleece parts along the spine, leaving less cover in cold, wet weather, so good shelter matters. Like all alpacas they must never live alone, need yearly shearing and can suffer in summer heat.