Rolling Hills Wildlife Adventure

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Fast Facts:

Llamas are native to the Andes region of South America where they have been domesticated since the third century B.C. and used as beasts of burden.
In the wild, llamas are gregarious, living in large groups.

Llama

Scientific Name:	Llama glama
Classification:	Order Artiodactyla, Family Camelidae, Genus Llama, Species glama
Status:	At this time, llama populations are considered stable, not endangered.
Range:	Southern Peru to Northwestern Argentina
Habitat:	High mountainous plains of the Andes
Diet:	Llamas are grazers and browsers, so in the wild their diet consists of grasses and tree leaves
Size:	Length: Adult llamas have a body length of 4 to 7 feet and an additional tail length of about 6 inches. Weight: 285 to 340 pounds
Lifespan:	15 to 20 years
Location:

Special Features:

Used primarily as pack animals, males more than 3 years are considered the best. Can carry a 200-pound load 16 miles/day at an elevation of 16,000 feet. They have a calm attitude, which enables them to be better work animals.

Llamas are fairly intelligent animals that learn by watching others. They have excellent vision. Llamas are curious animals. They enjoy being around humans, but do not enjoy being touched. They also like being around other animals.

The llama's habit of spitting is generally reserved for their interactions with each other, not for people. It is generally the females who spit, as the males prefer physical fighting among themselves to settle differences.

Physical characteristics:

The llama's hemoglobin has a greater affinity for (ability to hold on to) oxygen than other mammals. They also have more red blood corpuscles. This makes the animal better suited to life in high altitudes.

Llamas have two-toed feet, each with a toenail. The bottom of their feet is a leathery pad, which provides traction. Llamas can carry heavy loads and cause little or no damage to the environment.

Although the llama is not a ruminant (cud chewer), the animal does ruminate. Llamas have only 3 stomachs instead of 4 as do true ruminates; have slower stomach motility, and their stomach movements are in the opposite direction of true ruminants.

Llamas have an attached tongue, so they are not able to extend their tongue out far enough for effective licking. They therefore grow up not being accustomed to being touched.

Social Structure and Behavior:

Breeding and care of young:
Begin breeding at one to two years of age with one offspring born every other year after a gestation period of 345-360 days. The newborn is able to run with surprising endurance immediately after birth.