LLAMA FACTS
ORIGIN: Llamas are native to
South America, but they originated
from the central plains of North America some
40 million years ago.
At the end of the last ice age, 10,000-12,000 years ago, llamas
became extinct in North America, having migrated to Asia and
South
America, where they evolved into the Camels and Llamas
that we know today. As
members of the camelid family they are
one of the oldest domesticated animals in
the world. Primarily
a beast of burden, they also provided herdsman with meat,
wool
for clothing, hides for shelter, manure pellets for fuel and offerings
to
their gods.
PHYSICAL FACTS: Life Span: 18
to 25 years; height: 40" - 46" at
the shoulder, 5'.5" to
6'.3" at the head; weight: 250-500 pounds,
average gestation: 350 days, and
normally a single baby (cria) is
delivered from a standing mother. Babies weigh
18 to 45 pounds
at birth and are usually up and nursing in less than 30 minutes.
Reproduction: Females are normally bred at 18 to 24 months and
should weigh at
least 200 pounds. Llamas do not have a heat cycle,
they are induced ovulators
with ovulation occurring 24 to 36 hours
after breeding.
USES: Packers, guard animals,
cart driving, grease-free wool
production, breeding stock, shows, 4-H projects,
therapy (calming
effect on people), jogging and hiking partners, carrying
children
and pets. Additionally, llama droppings are odorless and considered
the
best natural organic fertilizer.
ATTRIBUTES: Beautiful,
graceful, gentle, patient animals. They
are
easy to handle, intelligent, easy to
train with great retention,
easy to transport, and an excellent investment.
Llamas are very
clean and don't bite, bark, dig, or have fleas. They make soft
sounds
and body language to communicate. They spit at one another to
establish hierarchy and to tell another llama to leave them alone.
Llamas that are
mistreated or abused may spit at people in
self-defense. Llamas come in a
variety of colors and are enjoyed by
the entire family.
MAINTENANCE: Llamas have a very
efficient three-chambered
stomach, and they browse on many types of foliage
which reduces
the need for expensive hay. Depending on the climate, llamas can
do well in a three sided shelter. Wire (not barbed) or wood fences
4-5' high or
electric fence will suffice. One acre will support
approximately 4 llamas. Grain
is fed primarily in the winter, but
may be used to supplement poor pastures in
the summer,
especially for pregnant females. The amount will vary, but does
not
exceed ½ to 1 pound per day. Hay is also made available and
a mineral
supplement is recommended as a free-choice addition
to their diet. Llamas are
healthy and hardy, with few disease
problems, but a preventive medicine program
is necessary
annually, and worming more often. If White Tail Deer are in your
area, precautions against meningial worms are recommended.
INVESTMENT: Llamas are the
environmental animal of the 90's
and offer an excellent return on investment.
Bloodlines, age,
pregnancy, conformation, wool quality and color are the major
governing factors in pricing of llamas.
This page was last edited on November 28, 2007
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