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Llamas are members
of the camel (camelid) family. They originated in the
Central Plains of North America.
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Llamas were
domesticated from the guanacos of the Andean highlands
of Peru 5,000 to 6,000 years ago. They are among
the world's oldest domestic animals. Because their
ancestors evolved in the harsh environment of the
Andean highlands, North American llama owners have
found them to be easy to care for.
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While primarily
a beast of burden for ancient herdsmen, llamas
also provided ancient people with meat, wool,
hides for shelter and manure pellets for fuel.
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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. They are excellent
pack animals. They are sure-footed
and agile and can
carry an average of 80 lbs, or 25 percent of their
body weight.
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Llama wool is warm and
luxurious, grease-free and lightweight. It is sought after
by fiber artists, such as weavers and spinners.
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The
life span of a llama is 15 to 29 years.
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Llamas weigh 200
to 450 pounds. They measure 36-47 inches at the shoulder
and 5 feet to 6 feet, 5 inches at
the head
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The average gestation
period for a llama is 350 days (11.5 months).
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A llama may be
solid, spotted, or marked in a wide variety of patterns.
Wool colors range from white to black, with many shades
of gray, beige, brown, red and roan in between.
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A
single baby ("cria")
is usually delivered from a standing mother,
normally without assistance. Twinning is a rare
occurrence. Normal birth weights are between 20 to
35 pounds. 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.
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Llamas are
intelligent. They learn quickly
to accept a halter, follow on a lead, load in and out
of a vehicle, or carry a pack.
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Llamas are modified
ruminants 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.
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Llamas are highly
sociable herd animals and
need the companionship of other llamas. They are independent
yet shy, gentle and curious
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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.
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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 "Bug
off!".
A llama who has been mishandled or feels threatened
may occasionally spit at humans.