The world of the llama
Friday, March 20 2009
A look at the unique South American animal that is rapidly gaining popularity in the British Isles
The origin of Llamas
Llamas (pronounced "yama"), are members of the Camelid family, which includes camels, alpacas, llamas, guanacos, and vicunas, and originated on the central plains of North America about 40 million years ago. Though extinct in North America, llamas previously migrated and were domesticated from guanacos in the Andean highlands of Peru some 5000 years ago. The llama is among the oldest domesticated animals in the world! While their primary use was as a beast of burden, they also provided native herdsmen with meat, wool for clothing, hide for shelter, manure pellets for fuel. Their thick coats of wool(fibre) and survival instincts have allowed them to thrive in one of the most extreme climates on earth.
The ancient Inca empire flourished from about 1200 to 1532 AD. It was centered around the lost Inca city of Machu Pichu perched on a high saddle, between two jagged mountain peaks, 2,000 ft. above the mighty Urubamba River in Peru. The Inca depended on the llama to transport root crops, trade goods, and building materials to extremely difficult to reach locations throughout the South American highlands.
Revered by the Andean people, llamas are similar to the bison of the indigenous cultures of North America. The llama is the second most common form in Andean art, next to the sun (which was their deity). The Quechua people of the Andes call the llama their "Silent Brother".
The Llama today
Llamas were brought to the UK in Victorian days and were a major attraction as exotic animals in zoos with their long necks, banana ears and beautiful fibre. Interest in private ownership grew in the 1970’s and a number of people built up significant breeding herds to satisfy a growing demand for these graceful animals. Today there are between 2000 and 4000 llamas in the UK, mostly owned by private individuals and families. Llamas are predominantly kept for recreation as pets, rather than business or farming. The exceptions being those owners who breed and sell llamas and a thriving community of trekkers who offer members of the public the opportunity to spend a day trekking with a llama as a companion who also carries their picnic or camping gear.
More recently, they have also appeared as show, guard, cart and fibre animals. Some livestock shows provide classes for llamas: in breeding classes to judge conformation, temperament and appearance; competitive packing and agility courses and fibre classes. As the numbers of llamas have increased, through directed breeding, better nutrition and education, more and better llama fibre is being gathered and used around the UK. Llama fibre has become highly prized by many handspinners, weavers, felters and fibre artists.
Llamas are very diverse animals and are becoming much sought after in the UK for their many attributes including:
Field Pets: Llamas are becoming increasingly popular as field pets being gentle, quiet, hardy and undemanding. They live in harmony with other field stock and make good companions for lone ponies etc. They quickly learn to wear a halter and to be led. Llamas can be taught to pull a cart.
Trekking: Their leather padded, two-toed feet and natural agility give them a sure-footedness akin to mountain goats and bighorn sheep. Their tracks and droppings are similar to an elk's, and have little impact on fragile wilderness trails. They exemplify the "leave no trace" wilderness ethic. Llamas can be walked for pleasure and will happily carry a pack, offering the long distance walker or the picnicking family both a fun companion and a willing helper. A number of enterprises around the UK offer llama treks of varying lengths from just a half day upwards.
Fibre: llamas have a double fleece; an outer guard hair and a fine, soft undercoat much sought after by hand spinners. Llamas do not have to be sheared at all, but the undercoat can be used to make an array of wonderful garments and the guard hair can be used for other products such as bags, rugs etc. The fleece comes in many natural colours from white to black with a wide range of browns and greys in between.
Livestock guardians: Although gentle by nature, male llamas are protective of their group and are used very successful to keep predators from attacking lambs and even ducks and poultry!
Llamas come in many different shapes and sizes. They can have light, medium, or heavy wool, which could be a solid, marked, spotted, shaded, or pinto color. Eating a browser's diet of fresh plant material, hay, and some supplemental grain and minerals, adult llamas can weigh between 200-450 pounds and live 20-30 years with good health care. Llamas only have bottom teeth in the front of their mouth to nibble the vegetation. When it is time for a rest, they will relax and chew their cud.
Llamas are clean animals with very little body odor and they use a communal dung heap, which means all the llamas in a herd use the same manure pile. Llamas need basic shelter from wind, rain, cold, and heat. In the summertime, llamas are shorn (wool trimmed off) to help keep them cool and they also like to have their legs and belly hosed down with cool water. Llamas enjoy kushing (lying down) in front of a fan to stay cool and sometimes, you might catch one in a small childrean’s pool or playing in a sprinkler.
They are highly social animals and need the companionship of other llamas. A llama communicates with body language-the position of his tail, ears, neck, and body. They commonly makes three noises: a hum, a shrill alarm whinny (a warning of predators), and orgling (a loud gargle which males make when breeding).
Although llamas do not normally spit at humans, they might if they feel threatened or if they have been mishandled or abused. Llamas spit at each other to maintain their pecking order in the herd, to protect the best eating spot, to discipline a youngster, or to reject unwanted advances from an amorous male.
Basic llama care:
Annual Care
At a minimum, llamas need to have the following annual care. Some vets may differ on recommended frequency, so confirm with a knowledgeable llama vet in your area.
- CDT (Enterotoxemia) annual booster
- Fecal check for internal parasites
- Toenails trimmed (as needed)
- Shearing for long- or heavy medium-wooled llamas, especially in hot and humid climates
Birthing
If you're considering breeding your llamas or buying a llama to breed, why don't you instead consider adopting a youngster or adult?
Emergencies
It is critical to have a knowledgeable llama vet, preferably one that can come out to your location, in case of emergencies. Llamas are notorious "easy keepers," which can be both a blessing and a challenge. They can appear to be so indifferent to discomfort or pain, that by the time their owners notice something wrong, it might well have been going on for so long that it has become a real health crisis.
Grooming
Regular grooming not only prevents a most uncomfortable and unhygienic mess from developing with llama hair, but also provides an opportunity for some gentle one-on-one time with your llama. It is also recommended you search the llama's skin and body for fungal growths or other health concerns.
Teeth Trimming
Male llama from about two years old will begin growing "fighting teeth." These are long, sharp, curved canines used for fighting. Many pasture injuries, such as split and torn ears, are caused by young males' rough play. A llama vet will be able to shorten or blunt the teeth.
Toenail Trimming
Llamas kept on rocky ground might not need their toenails trimmed as often as those whose herd pastures in verdant greenery. However, most llamas will eventually need a manicure.
Training
Basic catch, lead and halter training are critical for the welfare of a Llama.
Source: British Llama Society
For more information on Llamas visit the British Llama Society
Do you own a Llama? Share your experiences in our forum!