Llama
Lama glama
- IUCN StatusLeast Concern.
- PopulationOver 7,000,000, not found in the wild
- DietHerbivores eating grasses, leaves, mosses and regurgitation food material
- GroupHerd
- Size170-180cm
- ContinentSouth America
- Lifespan10-30 years
- Weight125-200kg
- HabitatNative to the Andes Mountains of South America, primarily Peru and Bolivia.
- Scientific NameLama glama
Meet the Llama
Fossil footprints in California show that llamas, which are relatives of camels, came originally from South America. It is thought that the animals that went north and crossed over the Bering land bridge later evolved into camels, while those that migrated south evolved into the "llama" family.
Llamas do spit, usually to settle an argument about food or to decide which llama is dominant. A female will spit at a male to make him go away. They do not usually spit at humans unless provoked.
They eat grass and browse for mountain vegetation, native grasses, and low shrubs. They can obtain water from this food, but they also require fresh water.
Introducing....
Our family of llamas at Wolds Wildlife Park
Did you know?
If you want to learn more about llamas then read our interesting facts below.
When were llamas first domesticated and why?
Llamas were first domesticated and used as pack animals 4,000 to 5,000 years ago in the Peruvian highlands.
They were also domesticated so that their fleece could be shorn and used in textiles. Llama wool is light, warm, water-repellent, and free of lanolin.
However, llamas have two wild "cousins" that have never been domesticated: the vicuña and the guanaco. The Guanaco is closely related to the llama. Vicuñas are thought to be the ancestors of alpacas
How much weight can a llama carry?
Llamas weigh between 125kgs and 200kgs and can carry 25% to 30% of their body weight, so a 180kg male llama can carry about 45 to 55kgs on a trek of 10 to 12 miles with no problem.
Llamas know their own limits. If you try to overload a llama with too much weight, the llama is likely to lie down or simply refuse to move.
What is llama fleece currently used for?
Yarn made from llama fleece is soft and lightweight, yet remarkably warm. The soft, undercoat is used for garments and handicrafts while the coarse, outer coat is frequently used for rugs and ropes
What is a baby llama called?
A baby llama is called a "cria" which is Spanish for baby. It's pronounced KREE-uh. Baby alpacas, vicuñas, and guanacos are also called crias.
Mother llamas usually only have one baby at a time and llama twins are incredibly rare. Pregnancy lasts for about 350 days, nearly a full year.
Crias weigh 9 to 16kgs at birth.
How tall can a llama grow?
Llamas can grow to just over 1.8m tall
