How Long Are Alpacas Pregnant?

An alpaca pregnancy lasts almost a year, so a cria born next summer starts with a mating this summer. The length varies by a few weeks either side, which matters when you're planning around the weather.

About 345 days

The British Alpaca Society gives an average gestation of 345 days, varying from 330 to 370 days. Rutgers Cooperative Extension gives an average of 335 days. Either way it's roughly 11 to 12 months. The breeding due date calculator gives the likely due date and the window around it from a mating date.

How alpaca breeding works

• No heat cycle. Alpacas are induced ovulators: the egg is released during mating, so they can be bred at any time of year (British Alpaca Society; Rutgers).
• Females: ready when they reach at least 60% of their mother's weight, and not usually before 14 months (British Alpaca Society).
• Males: some can breed from about nine months, but most aren't fertile until two to three years old (British Alpaca Society).
• Avoid hot months. Rutgers advises against breeding during hot summer months in North America, when heat stress may be a problem.
• After birth: a female should be fit to return to a male from 10–14 days after giving birth (British Alpaca Society).

The birth

Alpacas usually give birth in daylight hours, to a single cria. Rutgers says a cria weighs 15–19 lb, twins are rare, alpacas generally have little trouble giving birth, and the cria is usually nursing within the first hour. GOV.UK says weaning is usually at six months at a minimum bodyweight of 25kg.

Sources: British Alpaca Society, Reproduction; Rutgers Cooperative Extension, Llama and Alpaca Production; GOV.UK, South American camelids. Sources checked: October 2026. Breeding needs a vet's input; this is general information.

Common questions

How long is an alpaca pregnant?

About 345 days on average, according to the British Alpaca Society, though it can vary from 330 to 370 days — roughly 11 to 12 months.

When can a female alpaca be bred?

The British Alpaca Society says when she has reached at least 60% of her mother's weight, and not usually before 14 months old.

Do alpacas have twins?

Rarely. Rutgers Cooperative Extension says alpacas usually have a single cria, and twins are rare.

What time of day do alpacas give birth?

Usually in daylight hours, according to the British Alpaca Society and Rutgers Cooperative Extension.