Pet Over 50 Alpacas At Gibraltar Bay Alpaca Farm In Michigan
By Nikki Rhoades|Published March 16, 2020
×
Nikki Rhoades
Author
Nikki is a lifelong Ohioan with a love for literature. She holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Akron and has enjoyed publishing her written work since 2007. She has a love of travel and does so frequently, though she believes that home is where the heart is — she continues to work in and around Cleveland as a digital content specialist to this day, working on everything from commercial scripts and social media posts to grassroots marketing initiatives.
Did you know that there is an alpaca farm near Detroit? While you may not expect to find a large number of alpacas in Michigan, you may be surprised to learn that the native habitat of these gorgeous critters is not quite unlike the Great Lakes region. Alpacas are built to withstand the snowy conditions of the Andes Mountains, so local winters are a breeze for these majestic creatures. In addition to practically being built for the local climate, the residents of Gibraltar Bay Alpaca Farm are arguably the most adorable Michiganders. They have big, fluffy coats and warm, affectionate eyes, and they’re eagerly awaiting your visit. Check it out:
If you've never met an alpaca in person, you might be surprised to learn just how sweet these guys are.
Alpacas are a South American breed of camelid, meaning they are in the same family as camels and llamas. Llamas tend to be larger than alpacas, but they're just as cute and the two are close relatives.
Gibraltar Bay Alpaca Farm is the ideal place to meet your first alpaca, because their staff is friendly and their on-site alpacas are, too.
Gibraltar Bay Alpaca Farm is open daily between October and Christmas, but otherwise visitors can stop by between 10 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday.
It's always free to visit Gibraltar Bay Alpaca Farm, although you should definitely consider providing a donation. This farm, hiding just outside of Detroit, is truly incredible to visit.
Advertisement
If you're thinking that alpacas look like big teddy bears, you're right! You can even take home a teddy bear made of alpaca hair to commemorate your experience.
Alpaca hair, otherwise known as alpaca fleece or fiber, is harvested in the same manner as wool. Unlike wool, however, alpaca fur is warmer and anything but itchy.
In fact, you'll find all sorts of alpaca-themed goodies in the gift shop at this farm near Detroit.
These guys are oh so sweet, and they're friendly enough to welcome hugs from visitors. They only have six teeth on the bottom of their mouths, so don't worry that they may bite you... you might, however, want to watch out for spit.
You will be blown away by how soft, friendly, and all-around adorable these critters are.
As these guys are made for cooler climates, they most definitely appreciate a hair cut as things start to warm up. The haircuts make their heads look particularly floofy, which only accents their dramatic personalities.
Advertisement
Visitors rave about the experience of interacting with these majestic animals, and they also can't get enough of the super-soft treasures in the Gibraltar Bay Alpaca Farm gift shop.
Want to plan your visit to Gibraltar Bay Alpaca Farm? Connect with them on Facebook for hours of operation, news, and pictures of these adorable critters.
There is so much to love about alpacas. They are incredibly laid-back animals, and they’re sweet enough to give you a toothache. Did you know there are alpacas in Michigan? We’d love to hear your thoughts, comments, and any stories you have about Michigan alpacas in the comment section below.
Are you in search of other quirky things to do in Michigan? Swing by the Wood’n Spoon, our most eclectic country store.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
