Z Animal Crossing

Bob, Leslie, & Linzy Zahm

254 N Warren Road, Huntington, IN 46750

(260) 519-5433 or (260) 740-7411

Home to World, National, International, and State Champions!

In POA's, Miniature Donkeys, Miniature Herefords, Mules, and Miniature Horses!

leslie@zanimalcrossing.com or ljpoas@hotmail.com 

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Llamas are South American members of the Camelid family originating in the high Andes and are related to the camels of Asia and the Middle East.  Llamas and alpacas are domesticated camelids and guanacos and vicunas are wild. Llamas have been developed over the centuries mainly as work animals.  Depending on its fineness, llama can also be used to make ropes, blankets and clothing.

In the early 1900's, llamas were found mainly in zoos and private collections in the United States.  Importation was stopped in the 1930's, however, in recent years, some investors have been able to import llamas from Chile, Bolivia and Peru for breeding and research.  Most llamas in the United States have been bred and raised in North America.  It is estimated that there are 100,000 llama in the United States.   Llama are domesticated livestock and are used as pack animals, pets, guard animals, entertainers, race companions, fiber producers and cart-pullers. 

Llamas are very intelligent animals and their calm disposition makes them an ideal choice for first time animal owners.  They stand approximately 4' at the shoulder and weigh from 250 to 400 pounds as adults with long necks, erect curved ears, large doe-like eyes and unique cloven foot.  Llama are sure footed animals because of their soft leather-like pad on the bottom of their foot.  The cloven foot consists of 2 toes and each toe has a hard nail.  The upper lip is cleft (split) and prehensile, meaning to grasp. Like all ruminants, they have front teeth only on the lower jaw. 

With 2 types of grease-free fiber in its coat: a long, coarse guard hair fiber, which aids in air circulation, and a shorter, lightweight, finer fiber which helps keep the animal warm in cold weather.  Llama fiber comes in a wide variety of colors:   white, brown, black, rust, gray, and all shades in between.  The fiber varies in length from 3 to 12 inches.

Llamas live as long as 25 years with the females having babies for 15 to 20 years.

Llamas, like human beings and other animals, each have a different temperament.   Most llamas are curious about the world around them and interested in anything that is not familiar to them.  They like to spend time with other llamas and are very willing to work with people when it means that they can enjoy doing new and different things.

By nature they are social animals which mean they need to be with other llamas or animals.  Llama hum to communicate with other llama, their babies or from loneliness.   It may make a clucking sound if it is irritated, may give a warning call if it sees a coyote or strange dog or may scream if it is really angry or in a fight.

Llamas may hold their ears back when they are bored, or to listen to something behind them, but if they lift their noses, and hold their ears close to their necks, this often means that they are about to spit.  It is as if they are saying to the other llamas, "I don't like what you are doing, and if you don't watch out, I'll get you!"

Generally, spitting is used to communicate between llamas, to prove their importance in the herd, or when they are hurt or upset.  If a llama spits at a human, this may show that it doesn't like what is being done to it.  Llama rarely spit except in self defense.

There are no real breeds of llama like there are for dogs or cats, but there are three general types of llamas recognized in he United States.  They are "heavy-wooled," "medium-wooled," and "light-wooled" llamas.   Heavy-wooled: abundant body and neck wool with minimal to abundant head, ear, or leg wool.  Medium-wooled: moderate body wool, smooth to minimal head, ear or leg wool.  Light-wooled: minimal body wool, short neck wool with smooth head, ears and legs.  All three types of llama come in a wide variety of colors and patterns from solid to appaloosa markings.

A llama will consume 1%  to 2% of its body weight each day.  For a 300 pound llama this translates to 3 to 6 pounds of hay.  This is not very much feed.   During the summer they usually will not require any more food than they can eat in the pasture.

Llamas are generally hardy, healthy animal that are easy to care for, but like any animal they do need preventive medicine and good management to stay healthy.  Always consult with llama breeders in your area and your veterinarian.  It is important to remember that llamas are very stoic, meaning that they don't show signs if they are not feeling well.  They may be very sick before they begin to act sick.

This is provided as an overview of the species.  Please get and read all of the information you can before purchasing your first llama and always buy from a reputable breeder.