LLAMAS

History
Llamas are members of the camelid family. The camelids originated on the central plains of North America about 40 million years ago. About 3 million years ago, llama-like animals dispersed to South America. By the end of the Ice Age, 10,000 to 12,000 years ago, the camelids were extinct in North America. Llamas were domesticated from guanacos in the Andean Highlands of Peru 4,000 to 5,000 years ago and are among the oldest domestic animals in the world.

Physical Facts
· Life Span…about 15 to 25 years
· Height…40-45” at the shoulder, 5 to 6.5 feet at the head
· Weight…average 250 to 450 lbs
· Gestation…350 days
· Birth…A single baby “cria” is normally delivered during daylight hours. Twins are rare.
· Reproduction…Females are first bred at 18 to 24 months of age. Llamas do not have a heat cycle, but are induced ovulators (ovulation occurs 24-36 hours after breeding).
· Color…Wool colors range from white to black, with shades of brown, red, gray, etc. It can be solid or patterned.
· Health…Overall, llamas are hardy, healthy, easy to care for and primarily disease-free.
· Personality… Llamas are highly social animals in need of companionship of their own species.
They are independent, shy, gentle, curious, generally calm animals. Llamas will “spit” if provoked. Normally the spitting action is to discourage annoying suitors, establish pecking order or ward off any perceived threat.
Llamas in general don’t like to be rushed, hugged and petted. They prefer to make the approach. It is their instinct to protect their eyes and legs because they are classified as a prey animal.

Uses
Contemporary North American llamas are primarily used as a recreational animal. They can be bred for breeding stock, raised for packing, cart pulling, wool production, animal facilitated therapy, companion animals, exhibition in shows parades and fairs and livestock guardians.
In South America, the llama is primarily a best of burden, but they also provide meat, fiber for clothing, hides for shelter and manure pellets for fuel.

Health Maintenance
Llamas should be provided with basic health care including:
· Innoculations yearly against Clostridial diseases as well as other diseases that may be regionally specific.
· Regular deworming tailored to the region.
· Toenail trimming regularly according to each animal’s individual needs.
· Shearing, completely or partly, depending upon region.
· Adequate shelter from wind, rain and snow
· Adequate ventilation in summer to prevent heat stress
· Feed…Llamas are a modified ruminant with a 3-compartment stomach. They chew cud, as do cattle and sheep. They have a very efficient digestive system and because they have a relatively low protein requirement, they can be kept on a variety of suitable pastures of hay, with the supplementation of recommended vitamins, minerals and salt. A comfortable grazing rate is 4 llamas per acre.