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Llamas
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History
Llamas are members of the camel (camelid) family. Originating in the Central Plains of North America about 10 million years ago, the llama 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 10,000 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 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. In the United States and Canada there is an estimated 65,000 llamas , 7,000 alpacas and 200 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 agriculture entity.
- Life span: about 15 to 29 years
- Weight: 200 to 450 pounds
- Height: 36" to 47" at the shoulder, 5' to 6'5" at the head
- Average Gestation: 350 days (11.5 months)
Because their ancestors evolved in the harsh environment of the Andean highlands, North American llama owners have founds 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.
Contemporary North American llamas are primarily recreational animals. They are bred and raised for packing, wool production, cart pulling, animal facilitated therapy, companion animals, exhibition in shows, parades and fairs, 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.
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.
Llamas are very intelligent, 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.
Sure-footed and agile, most llamas are excellent packers and can carry an average of 80 lbs 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 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.
Thanks to www.llamasofatlanta.com
Llamas make excellent guard animals and we keep ours as dual purpose animals to protect our sheep and goats and to use their fiber. at this time we are not breeding them. Our black llama is registered and is called "Mac" for short.
