llama facts
YESTERDAY AND TODAY:
Lamas (single “l”), which include the llama (double“ll”), alpaca, guanaco and the
endangered vicuna, are members of the camel (camelid) family. Originating in the Central Plains of North America about 40 million years ago, the lama predecessors migrated to South America around 2.5 million years ago. Its cousin, the camel, relocated to the Middle East and other regions of the world. The end of the Ice Age 10,00 to 12,000 years ago marked the extinction of the camelid in North America.
Ralph & Judy Smith educating the public
Llamas were domesticated to be primarily a beast of burden for the native herdsmen, llamas also provided them with meat, wool, hides for shelter, manure pellets for fuel, and became sacrificial offerings to their gods. Today there are an estimated 7 million llamas and alpacas in South America, 89,000 llamas, 6,500 to 7,000 alpacas, and 300 to 350 guanacos. Llamas have international appeal, with countries such as New Zealand augmenting their fiber industry with llama and alpaca wool. As in ancient times, the llama today is important to the agricultural economy of the remote highlands of Argentina, Bolivia, Chili, and Peru. In North America the llama and alpaca industry is recognized as aviable agricultural entity.
PHYSICAL FACTS:
Life Span: about 15 to 29 years
Height: 36” to 47” at the shoulder, 5’ to 6’5” at the head
Weight: 250 to 450 pounds
Average Gestation: 350 days
Color: A llama may be solid, spotted, or marked in a wide variety of patterns, with wool
colors ranging from white to black and many shades of gray, beige, brown red, and roan
in between.
Reproduction, Birth and Babies: Females are first bred at 16 to 24 months of age. Llamas
do not have a heat cycle; they are induced ovulators (ovulation occurring 24 to 36 hours
after breeding). Llamas can be bred at any time of the year. A single baby (“cria”) is
usually delivered from a standing mother, normally without assistance. Most births occur
during daylight hours, which is better for the cria and most certainly more
convenient for the llama owners. Twinning is a rare occurrence. Normal birth weights are
between 20 to 35 pounds, and the cria usually stands and nurses within 90 minutes.
Depending upon the cria’s size and the mother’s condition, the baby is weaned at
4 to 6 months.
Health and Basic Medical Needs: Because their ancestors evolved in the harsh
environment of the Andean highlands, North American llama owners have found them
to be generally easy to care for. The recommended primary care of yearly vaccinations,
routine wormings, and regular toenail trimming help llamas remain hardy and healthy.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
What are they used for? Contemporary North American llamas are bred and raised for
packing, wool production, cart pulling, animal facilitated therapy, companion animals,
exhibition in shows, parades and fair, and guardians of other livestock such as sheep.
The llama is becoming increasingly popular as a project animal for 4-H, Scouts, FFA and
other youth activities. For the outdoor enthusiast and athlete, there are numerous activities
and competitive events that team up the llama and his owner. Llamas are great family fun!
Can you use their wool? Grease-free and lightweight, llama wool is warm and luxurious.
A valuable commodity sought after by fiber artists, such as weavers and spinners, the wool
is a marketable product for llama owners.
Are they intelligent? Yes, which is why llamas can quickly learn to accept a halter, follow
on a lead, load in and out of a vehicle, or carry a pack.
Are they good pack animals? Sure-footed and agile, most llamas are excellent packers and
can carry an average of 80 pounds or 25% of their body weight. Their two-toed foot with
its leathery pad gives the llama a low environmental impact equivalent to that of a
considerate hiker’s athletic shoe. Their ability to browse lessens their intrusion on the
native vegetation, which is one of the reasons llamas are gaining in popularity with
environmentally conscious users and managers of our public lands. Historically llamas
have carried packs for man; however, some llamas have been trained to carry a small child.
What do they eat? Llamas are a modified ruminant with a three-compartment stomach.
Like cattle and sheep, they chew their cud. Because of a relatively low protein requirement
and an efficient digestive system, they can be kept on a variety of suitable pastures or hay,
with the supplementation of recommended vitamins, minerals and salt. A llama costs
significantly less to feed than other comparable-sized animals.
What is their personality like? Because they are highly sociable herd animals, llamas need
the companionship of other llamas. Independent yet shy, llamas are gentle and curious.
Their generally calm nature and common sense make a trained llama easy for anyone to
handle and an excellent choice for a child’s pet and companion.
What sounds do they make? Llamas communicate by humming. They also express
themselves through a series of ear, body, and tail postures. On rare occasions they will
alert their companions and human keepers with a distinctive alarm call to the presence of
unfamiliar dogs or other creatures which they perceive as threats. During breeding males
make a distinctive orgling sound.
Do they spit? Llamas will spit at other llamas in order to establish the pecking order within
the group, to ward off an unwanted suitor, or to say, “Stop it!” A llama who has been
mishandled, feels abused, or threatened may occasionally spit at humans.
Are they registered? Yes. The International Lama Registry issues registration certificates
and maintains a current database. Two identification processes gaining prevalence within
the llama industry are blood typing and micro-chipping. These efforts not only help protect
the llama gene pool but also assure new buyers that llamas are wise and pleasurable
investment.
How much do they cost? Costs vary from region to region throughout the United States
and Canada. As a rule of thumb, you should expect pet males to be the lowest
priced, sometimes as low as $500. Trained packers can range from $1,000 to $2,500.
Young, stud quality males will be higher than pet males, with mature stud quality males
generally higher yet. Weanling females are generally (but not always) less expensive
than bred females. The price structure for females, as well as that for stud quality males,
can vary greatly. The bottom end of the female price range is about $2,500 to $3,000 and
up, depending upon quality, bloodlines and other factors. Contact a local breeder for
advice and pricing as it applies to your area.
