What is a llama?
 Llamas
are part of the camelid family, which is thought to have originated in
North America. Some camelids then migrated to South America, where
they developed into llamas, alpacas, vicuñas and guanacos. Others
developed into Bactrian and Dromedary Camels. Llamas have been around
for thousands of years, living in the Andes Mountains of Peru. Llamas
are a modified ruminant with three compartments to their stomach,
similar to a cow that has four. Llamas developed a unique digestive
tract so that they would be able to survive on the sparse vegetation
in the mountains of Peru. In South America, llamas are used primarily
for packing and meat. Llamas are not raised as meat producing animals
in the US. |
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Do they spit?
Yes, llamas spit… At each other. A llama will spit at another
llama to establish a pecking order. Llamas will not spit at people
unless they have been raised improperly or are extremely upset. Many
llamas is that spit at people do so because they have been raised by
humans and are trying to establish a pecking order, not realizing that
humans are a different species. |
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What do they eat?
 Llamas
eat a large variety of plants. They prefer tree leaves, weeds, and
shrubs, but also eat many types of grasses, and hay. Llamas also eat a
concentrated ration that contains vitamins and minerals as well as
other necessary nutritional supplements. Llamas have a very efficient
digestive system and are able to convert low quality hay into usable
energy. Feeding llamas an extremely high quality hay, like alfalfa, is
unnecessary and they will actually convert the extra energy into fat. |
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What is the difference between a llama and an
alpaca?
An alpaca is a smaller cousin of the llama that is used primarily
for fiber production. The vicuña and guanaco are also cousins of
llamas and alpacas but are found primarily in South America in wild
herds. |
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What is a baby llama called?
A baby llama is called a cria (kre-uh). A llama cria weighs between
15 and 40 pounds when it is born, and will reach 100 pounds or more by
the time it is weaned at six months. An alpaca cria weighs between 8
and 20 pounds at birth. |
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What do you do with a llama?
Packing: Llamas can carry up to one third of their body
weight when properly conditioned. Llamas have less impact on the
environment than an average hiker, and are allowed into many parks
where mules, donkeys, and horses are not. |
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 Guarding:
Llamas are often used as guardians for smaller livestock such as
sheep, goats, and poultry. Suitable llamas adjust readily to their
new herd mates and will sound an alarm call if they feel threatened by
predators. Many guardian llamas will bring the group of animals they
are protecting to a safe place, such as a barn if a predator
approaches. |
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| Driving: Llamas can be trained to pull a
cart, much the same as a horse. Llamas can be driven single, double,
or even triple. |
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 Fiber
Production: Llamas and alpacas have very fine fiber that can be
spun into yarn for making clothing and blankets. For people who are
allergic to the lanolin in sheep’s wool, llama fiber is often a good
alternative, as it does not contain this allergen. Also, llamas
produce a hollow fiber, so it is warmer and lighter than traditional
wools. Llama wool can be harvested through shearing every year or by
brushing out the soft under coat. |
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 Public
Relations: Llamas have a very calm disposition and fastidious
bathroom habits, and can be taken into buildings to visit people.
Some llamas are brought into nursing homes, much the way a dog would
be, to visit the patients. |
