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Llama Facts...

Why would you want a llama?

Llamas are intelligent animals and they make great family pets.

Llamas are a herd animal. It is truly fascinating to observe the social hierarchy of the llama family.

When llamas spit, it is to establish herd dominance or to stop unwanted advances by another llama.

Llamas like to go places and meet people

Llamas are environmentally safe. Studies have shown that llamas have no more impact on the wilderness trails than human foot traffic.

BLACK SWAN STAYING COOL ON A SUMMER'S DAY WITH LLAMA FRIEND, "CANADIAN CALLIE"

Llamas make great guard animals for sheep, goats, "and swans" and other livestock. Their curiosity combined with the camelids naturally aggressive behavior towards members of the canid family make them effective protectors of their "family". Guard llamas bond with their flock and defend their territory. They do not need to be trained. Studies show they significantly reduce losses from coyotes.

Kids and llamas are like peanut butter and jelly... They make a great combination. The gentle nature of the llama makes it a great pet and/or 4H project. There are many opportunities for our youth to show their llamas.

Llamas are used extensively in therapeutic situations. They work at nursing homes, out reach programs, prisons, and much more. Their curious and gentle social nature helps them to engage people who have otherwise been unreachable.

  Rusty (suri alpaca)after his summer "hair cut".

How to proceed when buying a Llama

Baby llamas (crias) belong with their mothers until 6 to 8 months of age. Mothers milk provides the best nutrition possible for the baby to thrive. Llamas need to spend the first 6 to 8 months of life with other llamas to learn the etiquette of the life of a llama. Crias that are bottle fed may run the risk of imprinting on humans. This can be manifested by unacceptable and potentially dangerous behavior when the animal is approaching sexual maturity. Please do not buy a pre-weanling without it's mother. It is not in the best interest of the mother or the offspring to be separated at such an early age.

Tour as many ranches as possible. Talk to the owners. Ask about health records, disease, genetics, management practices and whatever else you can think of. By the time you have done this, you will have seen enough and heard enough to make an educated decision. You can call the South Central Llama Association (512-328-9419) for a directory of llama breeders. Anyone listed in the directory would be happy to answer your questions.

Llama Facts

Llamas are members of the camelid family. They originated in North America 40 million years ago. Llamas were domesticated from guanacos in the Andean highlands about 4,000 to 5,000 years ago. Llamas are among the oldest domestic animals of the world.

Life Span is about 20 to 25 years, and they averagely weigh 250 to 450 pounds. Their height is  average 40" to 45" at the shoulder, and 5' to 5 1/2' at the head. Their average gestation is 11 1/2 months.

Normally, a single baby is born without human assistance from a standing mother during the daylight hours. Night time births can occur. The average birth weight is 18 to 35 pounds, and babies are normally up and nursing within 1 1/2 hours of birth. Crias (llama infants) are weaned at 6 to 8 months of age.

All camelid wool is usable. Wool color, texture and length varies. It comes in a rainbow of colors.

Reproduction: Females are first bred at 18 to 36 months of age. Llamas are induced ovulators. They will ovulate 24 to 36 hours after breeding. They can be bred at any time of the year. Where the climate is hot and humid in the summer, we try to have crias born in the cooler winter months.

Health: Llamas are adapted to the harsh Andean environment. Because of this, they are a low maintenance animal. Their stomachs utilize their feed so efficiently that they are easy keepers. They are easy to maintain on low protein hays such as coastal hay.

Llamas are shorn to help keep them cool in the summer heat. It also shows off their conformation. Llamas enjoy keeping cool on a bed of moist sand in a shady spot. Large fans (18" or larger) are used to provide additional cooling. Tree shade is also very helpful.

Web site designed and created by: Dean Stalter and Jeff Alexander
Primary Editor: Kent Cole
Contact the Web Master: Kent

Last Updated on : Friday October 23, 2009