Suris are a type of alpaca, which is a domesticated member of the camelid family, and are native to South America. Along with llamas, guanacos and vicunas, alpacas originate mostly in the Andean highlands of Peru, but also in Chile and Bolivia.

Of the two types of alpaca - the huacaya and the suri - the huacaya is the most common of the two. It has a fleece similar to that of the merino sheep, with a defined crimp and a soft fluffy appearance.

The suri, which comprises only about 6% of the world Alpaca population, has a fleece that hangs down from its body in pencils, or locks. It is highly prized for its lustre and softness of handle. It is this fleece trait that distinguishes suri alpacas from the huacaya.

The lock "architecture" of a suri is defined by having pencil locks which persist throughout the entire fleece and show right through to the body. They can be curled, twisted or waves, but they must hang down in individual locks.

Suri fibre has the softness of cashmere, lustre of silk, warmth and featherweight of goose down and the durability of wool. Suri fibre has very little medullation (coarse, hollow fibres which cause prickling and do not process or dye as well as natural fibres).