CHESTER—After leaving a health food store she owned in Sugar Loaf, Marsha Oliver, a former arts teacher, started looking at what she could do with 18 acres of land she had next to her home in Chester. Smaller and less aggressive than their relatives the llama, alpacas turned out to be the perfect fit. They hail from the mountains of Peru, so her rocky land turned out to be just like home.
The long-legged animals have pack instincts like sheep but are more aggressive. Except for the babies, the males and the females stay separate, and even the more aggressive ones have to be separated from the less aggressive ones so everyone gets enough food.
Their big eyes give them almost 360-degree peripheral vision. Their coat is so warm, they often sleep in the snow, Marsha said. While their cloven feet look like they have hooves, underneath their toenails are tender pads like those of a dog; their nails grow continuously so rocks are important to keep them filed down.
“Little did we know when we moved here that it would be perfect for alpacas,” said Marsha about her property.
Marsha, along with her husband Wayne Oliver, started Rock Ridge Alpacas with four alpacas 14 years ago, and as of July 17, they had 36. The two breed them, sell their fur, give tours to visitors, and occasionally show them.
Young male alpacas at Rock Ridge Alpacas in Chester, on July 17, 2016. Holly Kellum/Epoch Times
Viggo, a 7-year-old alpaca at Rock Ridge Alpacas in Chester, on July 17, 2016. Holly Kellum/Epoch Times
Black Bear, a 5-year-old alpaca at Rock Ridge Alpacas in Chester, on July 17, 2016. Holly Kellum/Epoch Times
Moon Dancer, a 3-year-old alpaca at Rock Ridge Alpacas in Chester, on July 17, 2016. Holly Kellum/Epoch Times
Monte Carlo, a 4-year-old alpaca at Rock Ridge Alpacas in Chester, on July 17, 2016. Holly Kellum/Epoch Times
Three-year-old alpaca Maximo (white), 11-year-old alpaca Absolute Shocker (grey), and 4-year-old alpaca Monte Carlo at Rock Ridge Alpacas in Chester, on July 17, 2016. Holly Kellum/Epoch Times
Male alpacas at Rock Ridge Alpacas in Chester, on July 17, 2016. Holly Kellum/Epoch Times
Acadia, a 7-year-old alpaca at Rock Ridge Alpacas in Chester, on July 17, 2016. Holly Kellum/Epoch Times
Roxana, a 6-year-old alpaca at Rock Ridge Alpacas in Chester, on July 17, 2016. Holly Kellum/Epoch Times
MoonDancer, a 3-year-old alpaca at Rock Ridge Alpacas in Chester, on July 17, 2016. Holly Kellum/Epoch Times
Absolute Shocker, an 11-year-old alpaca at Rock Ridge Alpacas in Chester, on July 17, 2016. Holly Kellum/Epoch Times
Male alpacas at Rock Ridge Alpacas in Chester, on July 17, 2016. Holly Kellum/Epoch Times
Altair, a 2-year-old alpaca at Rock Ridge Alpacas in Chester, on July 17, 2016. Holly Kellum/Epoch Times
Acadia, a 7-year-old alpaca kissing owner Marsha Oliver at Rock Ridge Alpacas in Chester, on July 17, 2016. Holly Kellum/Epoch Times
Brave Ulysses, a 2-year-old alpaca at Rock Ridge Alpacas in Chester, on July 17, 2016. Holly Kellum/Epoch Times
Black Bear, a 5-year-old alpaca at Rock Ridge Alpacas in Chester, on July 17, 2016. Holly Kellum/Epoch Times
Alpaca fur for sale at Rock Ridge Alpacas's store in Chester, on July 17, 2016. Holly Kellum/Epoch Times
Yarn made from the alpacas at Rock Ridge Alpacas in Chester, on July 17, 2016. Holly Kellum/Epoch Times
Holly Kellum
Washington Correspondent
Holly Kellum is a Washington correspondent for NTD. She has worked for NTD on and off since 2012.
