Alpacas produce one of the world's finest and most luxurious natural fibers. Alpacas are shorn, not skinned, so the fiber is clipped from the animal without causing injury. As soft as cashmere and warmer, lighter and stronger than wool, alpaca comes in more colors than any other fiber producing animal. There are currently 16 different colors recognized by the Alpaca Registry, with several additional colors being discussed industry-wide. Spinners and weavers around the world now enjoy this cashmere-like fleece, once reserved for Incan royalty