Discover the Magic of Llamas

What Do You Do with Llamas?

Llamas are great with children, because they are calm and predictable. They are easy to train and handle, which makes them ideal pets for young and old alike. Llamas are often used in youth activities like 4-H and Scouts, as well as in animal therapy, because of their calming effects.

Originally bred as a beast of burden in South America, the llama's packing ability has been rediscovered by hikers, campers, hunters and forest and park personnel. They are hardy, sure-footed and have minimal impact on the terrain. Families pack picnic lunches on their llamas for day hikes in parks, on public and private trails, or through their own woods and meadows.

Llama wool is soft and fine and can be spun and woven into beautiful garments and blankets. Warmer, softer and lighter than sheep's wool, llama wool is highly valued by spinners and weavers. Llamas can be either shorn or brushed to remove the wool.

Increasingly used as guard animals, llamas have successfully protected sheep and other livestock from stray dogs and coyotes. Research has shown them to be more effective than other guard animals.

Because they are easy to train and have calm responses to new situations, llamas are popular attractions in parades, fairs, and other community events. There are also many opportunities to show llamas at fairs and other shows.

Investment

As an investment, llamas can provide a great return on your money when good decisions are made. The tax benefits of owning your own business with capital depreciation are also excellent. Many people make their living solely from raising llamas while others find them a great secondary source of income.

General Care

Llamas are remarkably clean and easy to care for and require a minimum of veterinary assistance. Most owners give their animals annual vaccinations and regular wormings. And because llamas are highly social animals, conscientious owners have at least two llamas.

Llamas are extremely adaptable feeders, and can be kept on a variety of pastures or hay. They are both grazers and browsers who have highly efficient digestive systems. Three or four llamas can graze on an acre of pasture, or without pasture, a bale of hay will generally last an adult llama a week. They also need trace minerals and salt and should have fresh, clean water at all times.
 

Fencing for llamas can be woven wire, chain link, electric, or wood rails or poles - almost anything except barbed wire. It should be at least four feet high and dog-proof if there are loose or stray dogs in your area. A three-sided shelter is usually sufficient protection from the elements unless you have severe chill factors in winter. Then a completely enclosed shed is recommended.

Heat stress can be a concern in hot, humid summers. A wading pool, small pond or sprinkler may be helpful.

Characteristics and Habits

Fascinating to watch, llamas have a striking, regal beauty all their own. They come in a wide variety of colors and markings. And the length and fineness of their wool also varies. Adult llamas weigh 250 to 400 pounds with full body size reached by the fourth year. Babies, called crias, weigh 20 to 35 pounds at birth and grow remarkably fast. Normal life span is about 20 years.

Because they are so curious, llamas come close to strangers to sniff them. But huggable as they look, llamas usually prefer not to be petted except on their back or necks. They don't spook easily and rarely bite or kick unless provoked.
 

Llamas have three stomachs and chew their cud. They are amazingly clean, and their communal dung-piling behavior is a real convenience when you clean their pastures and barns.

Their two-toed foot has a broad, leathery pad with curved nails in front, which makes them sure-footed on a variety of terrain.

Even if you watch llamas for only a short time, you'll notice they communicate through their body language. Heads, ears and tails assume a variety of positions depending on the message. Llamas also communicate through sounds ranging from a hum, to a cluck, to a shrill alarm call. Spitting is generally reserved for other llamas. If a llama spits at people it is often because he has been mishandled or has imprinted on people through bottle feeding as a baby.

As with other bottle-fed male animals, a bottle-fed male should be gelded at and early age so he does not become dangerous to people as an adult.

Reproduction

There is nothing quite as delightful as watching baby llamas romping in your pasture when their playful, curious nature is at its prime. Wonderful mothers, female llamas are usually bred for the first time at 16 to 24 months depending on size and development. Normal gestation is 335 to 350 days and single births are the rule. Crias are normally born during daylight hours with no assistance. The female is usually bred back from two to four weeks after giving birth, and crias are weaned around five to six months of age.

Male llamas usually begin their breeding careers at about 30 months, though some may be used at a younger age. Normally they are not socially and sexually mature until three years of age. Males not needed for breeding are usually neutered after they are about two years old.