Many people invest in gold when the stock market heads south. Others put money in Alpacas as an alternative investment for relief.

The national Alpaca Registry is located in Lincoln, Nebraska and a recent article in the Wall Street Journal indicates nationwide registrations of Alpacas are up 7% this year.

The article mentions that prices have been rising. On October 10, 11 and 12, one of the leading alpaca auctions in the country fetched an average sale price per animal of almost $25,000.

Alpacas are cousins to the llama and native to the Andean Mountain range of South America.

Alpacas are shorn, without harm, every twelve to eighteen months. They produce five to ten pounds of fiber, sometimes compared to cashmere.

For more information visit www.alpacainfo.com.