The following information is partially quoted from the booklet "I want a llama" published by the International Llama Registry, (ILR), and is not only informative but has some very interesting facts about this wonderful animal. Links to this and other llama related organizations will soon be added to this site.

                         *************************************************************
People are becoming familiar with llamas throughout North America, but the most common question asked of llama owners is, "What are they used for?". If you become familiar with llama characteristics, the many uses of llamas become more easily understood. Llamas are classed as domestic (not exotic) livestock by the USDA and are owned and raised for many purposes.
Llamas are very intelligent, independent, aloof, curious, gentle, relatively easy to train and they exhibit a lot of common sense. Once you own a llama you will no longer question their use, as you will have fallen in love with a very special friend.
Traditionally, llamas make superior pack animals for a picnic, a day trip or an extended camping expedition. Llamas have also been successfully trained to caddy on golf courses.
A mature, trained pack llama can carry approximately 1/4 to 1/3 of its body weight (50-120 lb.) It is not recommended that llamas be ridden, although some people do put small children on specially built llama saddles.
Llamas are sure -footed and are environmentally friendly. Their two-toed feet with nails and leathery bottoms, similar to a dog’s pad do less environmental damage than a hiking boot. They also require very little carried food on the trail in comparison with other pack animals. This and their tendency to browse rather than graze make their impact on natural forage minimal.

 

Many people own llamas as companion animals or pets because their calm nature, gentleness and intelligence make them a non-demanding pleasure to be around and train.
Llamas are especially good with children and there are many active 4-H programs for llamas throughout the U.S. and Canada.
Llamas are fun for the entire family as a llama can be trained to walk in parades, pull a cart, be a daily jogging companion, visit schools, nursing homes, entertain at birthday parties, deliver Christmas gifts or a partner to share a relaxing afternoon.
There is a very active llama show association ( ALSA) and many owners enjoy the competition of the show ring. Shows are held locally and regionally. There are also a number of non-competitive llama events such as fairs, exploration hikes and other diverse functions to enjoy with your llama while sharing experiences and friendship with fellow owners.
Llamas are popular to raise for their beautiful luxurious wool, which can be regularly brushed out or sheared. Lama wool does not contain lanolin, so many people who are allergic to sheep wool can wear llama wool. It is a hollow fiber which is warner
and lighter than sheep’s wool. The wool is highly prized by spinners, knitters, felters and weavers as a superior fiber for sweaters, hats, stoles, vests and other garments.
Llamas are raised by many people as a breeding stock, and the thrill of producing a baby is universal. Babies (crias) play together in the field and are a joy to watch cavorting. Serious breeders study bloodlines in order to produce better, more beautiful and genetically superior animals. If you choose not to reproduce which many people are now finding as their choice you can still enjoy this wonderful companion animal. The market for llamas continues to expand as more people learn of the pleasure, lifestyle and companionship of owning these amazing animals.
Llamas can make excellent guard animals for effective predator management for flocks of sheep and goats and herds of cattle against coyotes and feral dogs. A neutered adult is recommended with a single llama per herd, so that the llama identifies with the herd and protects it. This is the one exception to the recommendation not to have a single llama. And of course not all llamas make a good guard animal. It is best to contact a farm or ranch with experience in this field.
Llamas are being used more and more in animal-assisted therapy. Lamas are routinely taken into senior citizen centers, nursing homes, hospitals and mental health facilities to stimulate or soothe residents. A llama’s sensitivity has been compared to that of dolphins and, as llamas are used more in this capacity, their value increases as a means to reach and enhance the lives of others, especially the disabled.
As you can see, there are many used of llamas which are limited only by our imaginations. A warning should be placed here for what is known among llama owners as "llama fever". Llama fever is highly contagious and there is no known cure....except maybe owning more llamas. The symptoms vary, but include talking about your llamas endlessly, visiting other llama farms at every opportunity, being totally smitten with your friends and spending every possible moment with them.

 

A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE                   LLAMA

 

About 40 million years ago the ancestor of the llama roamed the central plains of North America. This ancient camel-like creature eventually migrated to Asia, Africa and South America. All members of the camel, or camelid family, are descendants of this early ancestor. The one humped dromedary camel evolved in Northern Africa and the Middle East, the two-humped Bactrian evolved in what is now Mongolia. The South American camelids-llama-.alpaca.-vicuna and guanaco- found their niche in the high plains of the Andes.

The wild relatives of the llama and alpaca are the vicuna and guanaco. Unlike the llamas and alpacas the vicuna and guanaco always have the same color pattern. They have a reddish brown body with light cream underbelly and grey face. Both are highly prized for their exquisite fiber. The vicuna is currently on the endangered species list but is making a strong comeback. In the past few years some guanacos have been raised in semi-captive flocks and sheared once a year for fiber. Much of the prized fiber from these animals makes its way to Italy and is woven into coats costing as much as $10,000.00.

Domesticated more than 5000 years ago, the llama and alpaca are among the earliest domesticated herd animals. For the native people of the Southern American Andes, the llama was a beast of burden and a source of fiber and meat. Even the pelleted manure was used as fuel in the harsh environment of the Altiplano where no trees grow. The alpaca was bred primarily to produce fine fiber.

Many ancient rituals and traditions developed from the close bond between the native people of South America and their llamas. This close relationship has endured to the present time. A typical Andean family might own only a handful of llamas or alpacas but each animal is special to its owner. A visitor to a small rebano (herd) will find the llamas decorated with brightly colored yarn sewn into their ears. The yarn tassels are used not only as decoration but also as a means of animal identification. It is not uncommon to see llamas owned by several different families grazing together. Typically, the wife and younger children take responsibility for the llama welfare and are present for herding and shearing.

                                                               Return to My Homepage