Llamas: Pets and Pack Animals

By Leslie Brown

The llama is a South American relative of the camel, however, without the characteristic hump. Weighing between 250 and 450 pounds, they can stand over six-feet tall. Llamas graze on grass and hay, but can survive by eating many different kinds of plants. Like cows, they regurgitate their food and chew it as cud. With a life span ranging between 15 and 30 years, they are among the most versatile of animals.

Aside from making wonderful companions, llamas have been used for pack animals in South America for centuries. Sometimes they are even used as gold caddies! Llamas are willing pack animals, but only to a point. Typically, they are saddled with loads of 50 to 75 pounds, and can travel up to 20 miles a day. However, overloaded llamas will refuse to move, and will lie down on the ground until their load is lessened.

Friendly, agile, and calm, llamas make for excellent companions even in the wildest of terrains. They are beautiful, dignified animals with deep brown eyes and long eyelashes (sort of like the ostrich). But they are not for everyone because of their large size and their need for plenty of room. Llamas also need the company of other llamas, preferably of similar age. So, you’re looking at the need for quite a pasture!

Depending on the climate, llamas need a barn in colder weather or a roofed area with open sides in hotter weather. They also need proper fencing to keep them inside a pasture and to keep other animals (like dogs) out. Because of their long and matted hair, they need frequent grooming and shearing, as well as toe nail trimming.

A llama can run very quickly (similar to the ostrich). They have slender feet and long limbs, and they pace, which means that both legs on the same side move together. They have long, thick, course hair with spots of color that can protect them from being attacked. They have two toes on each foot (also like the ostrich), and the bottoms of their feet are padded with tough leathery soles, which protect them from sharp rocks. Although they have a reputation for spitting, llamas are likely to spit only at fellow llamas, and not at people. They also make a variety of sounds, such as hissing.

Although they are pretty hardy animals, llamas are prone to a number of diseases and should be seen regularly by a veterinarian for a proper vaccine schedule.

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