Visit any llama show and you will see children as young as 4 or 5 leading young and full grown llamas through the barns and around the grounds. Llamas make wonderful 4-H projects! Especially for children who cannot, or do not want to, handle an animal as large and intimidating as a horse or a cow. There are a variety of classes in llama shows:  Halter classes where animals are judged for conformational soundness;  Performance classes where animals and their handlers negotiate difficult and challenging obstacles;  Cart driving demonstrating the strength and ease of handling;  Costume classes where the animals participate in the fun by being "dressed" in all types of funny and beautiful costumes.

Llamas also make good therapy animals because of their intuitive, gentle and curious nature. Llamas are one of the few animals that can be handled with ease by handicapped individuals.

Llama Facts

The camelidea (camelid family) has six surviving species. They are the Bactrian and dromedary camels, llamas, guanacos, alpacas and vicunas. Lamas (single "l"), which include the llama (double "l"), alpaca, guanaco and the endangered vicuna, are members of the camelid family. Originating in the central plains of North America about 40 million years ago, 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. Bactrian camels (two humps) come from Central Asia, China and Mongolia. The dromedary camel (one hump) normally lives in warmer climates. The end of the Ice Age 10,000 to 12,000 years ago marked the extinction of the camelid in North America. Llamas were domesticated from the guanacos of the Andean highlands of Peru 5,000 to 6,000 years ago and are among the world's oldest domestic animals. While primarily a beast of burden for the native herdsman, llamas also provided them with meat, wool, hides for shelter, manure pellets for fuel, and sacrificial offerings to their gods. Today there are an estimated 7 million llamas and alpacas in South America. Based on information provided by the International Lama Registry, in the United States and Canada there are an estimated 86,000 to 89,000 llamas, 6,500 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 a viable agricultural entity.

PHYSICAL FACTS:

 Life Span: about 15-29 years

Height: 36-47" at the shoulder, 5'-6'5" at the head

Weight: 250-450 pounds

Average Gestation: 350 days

Color: Llamas range in color from white to black with just about every shade in between. They can be spotted (appaloosa), or multicolored (paints).

Reproduction, Birth and Babies: Females are usually bred for the first time when they are 18-24 months old. Females do not have a heat cycle like most other mammals. They are induced ovulators, with ovulation usually occurring 24-36 hours after breeding. Males become sexually mature and capable of breeding when they are 20-28 months old. Because llamas are induced ovulators they can be bread at any time of the year.

Llamas give birth to a single offspring known as a cria. Crias are normally born with the mother in a standing position and without assistance. Most births occur during daylight hours this gives the cria time to dry off, stand and start nursing before nightfall. Llamas do not lick their newborns. Multiple births in llamas is relatively rare. The average birth weight for a cria is 20-35 pounds. Crias are normally weaned at 4-6 months of age.

Heath and Medical Care: Llamas are easy keepers whose primary care is yearly vaccinations and routine worming.

Feeding: Llamas are easier to feed then most livestock and are efficient at converting plant material into usable protein and energy. The llama is a modified ruminant herbivore that digests plant material in its unique, three-compartment stomach. Llamas are most commonly feed a combination of hay, pasture and a ration designed for llamas. Llamas have a relatively low protein requirement and an efficient digestive system. Because of this alfalfa hay may be fed it can lead to overweight llamas. A better choice for llamas is good quality brome, timothy, orchard grass or clover hay and even some straw may be fed. Timothy, brome, orchard and even a little bluegrass make good llama pasture. There are many brands of llama rations. Rations contain protein and minerals and vitamins necessary to round out the llama diet. A llama costs significantly less to feed than other comparable sized animals.

Housing: Llama housing is dependent on the climate where they will be living. Llama's original habitat is the arid, high altitude regions of the South American Andes but with proper conditions can live anywhere.

Some sort of shelter in the form of trees, a three-sided shed or a barn is necessary. Llamas prefer an open environment where they are free to use move in and out of shelters at will. In warm climates shade is essential, as llamas may suffer heat stress or heat stroke in hot, humid environments. Effective preventatives for heat stress/stroke include sprinklers, misters, sand floors that can be wet, and fans. In rainy climates llamas should have areas where their feet can dry out every day. Cold weather protection is dependent on how cold it gets in your area. The temperature in the Andes’ rarely falls below 10 degrees F. In areas where the temperature will not drop below 15 degrees F for long periods a three-sided shed is sufficient. The sheds should be oriented to provide maximum protection from the wind. In areas where the temperature frequently drops below 15 degrees F barns or enclosed shelters are best.

Fencing requirements for llamas is less demanding then other large livestock. A standard 4-foot fence is usually adequate for llamas living in a group. Barbed wire fence should never be used in llama pastures or enclosures. In addition, because llamas are curious creatures care and tend to stick their heads through openings care must be taken to avoid having dangling ropes, wires, or narrow openings in which a llama can become tangled.

Fiber: Llama fiber does not contain lanoline like sheep fiber. It is often the lanoline in sheep fiber that causes "wool" allergies. Llama wool is lightweight, warm and luxurious. It is a valuable product that can be successfully marketed.

Pack Animals: Sure-footed and agile, most llamas are excellent packers and carry an average of 80 pounds or 25% of their body weight. Their two-toed foot with its leather 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 manager of our public lands.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Are They Intelligent?   Yes! Llamas are easily halter and pack trained. They are quick to learn to load in to a stock trailer and even a mini van. Llamas can be trained to compete in obstacle courses, drive a cart singly and in teams and even to wear a saddle to carry a small child.

Llamas were used to pack in equipment needed by firefighters during the July 1996 fires in Oregon. The llamas were able to carry the needed equipment faster and more efficiently then the horses and with much less impact on the trail.

What Kind of Personality Do Llamas Have?   Llamas are highly social herd animals that need the companionship of other llamas. In spite of this they have very individual personalities, a lot like people. Some are shy and reticent others friendly and very curious. All are gentle and generally calm. They learn to react to their names when worked with but don't usually come when called like a dog. They are wonderful and calming animals to spend time with.

What sounds do they make?   Llamas communicate by humming. They also express themselves through a series of ear, body and tail postures. Llamas can make a distinctive high-pitched "alarm call" when they see an unfamiliar dog or other animal they perceive as a threat. Males can scream when the fight and they orgle during mating.

The most frequently asked question, do they spit?   Llamas will spit at each other in order to establish a pecking order within the group, to ward off an unwanted suitor, or to simply say, "stop that" to another llama. A llama that has been abused, mishandled, is being hurt or feels threatened may spit at humans.

Cost?   Costs vary depending on bloodlines, confirmation, etc. Generally a pet quality male can sell as low as $500.00. Trained guard llamas and pack animals can range from $1000 up. Stud quality males and good breeding females can start at $2500 and go up as high as $40,000-$50,000 depending on quality and conformation.