New research from Yellow Pages has revealed residents in the Tamworth phone book area made more calls to alpaca breeders than any other region of Australia last year. The statistic, every bit as curious as the animal itself, is part of a snapshot of call data made by locals to a raft of services.

Proving what an indulgent lot we are, restaurants were at the top of the “most called professions” list for 2013, followed by hairdressers and beauty salons.

Other interesting additions to the top 10 list include motorcycle parts and accessories shops, electricians and solicitors. Our ranking as the nation’s biggest alpaca aficionados – at least when it comes to phone enquiries – came as a surprise to the district’s largest Alpaca breeder, Di Sanderson from Caipora Alpacas in Duri.

“It is a little surprising because there are only five registered breeders here,” Mrs Sanderson said.

“But people are starting to look at alpacas more, particularly farmers for use as herd guards. They’re new, they’re different and you do get enthralled in them once you have them.”

The Yellow Pages/White Pages book will be distributed to local homes and businesses on February 1. This year’s edition is a smaller book with a larger font size for listings.