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- Lamas (llamas, alpacas, guanacos and vicuņas) are members of the
camelid family. Today’s camelids originated on the central plains of North America
about 40 million years ago. Three million years ago, these llama-like animals dispersed to
South America. By the end of the last ice age (approximately 10,000 – 12,000 years
ago) they became extinct in North America.
 Llamas were
domesticated from guanacos in the Andean highlands of Peru 4,000 – 5,000 years ago,
and were among the oldest domestic animals in the world. Primarily a beast of burden, they
also provided native herdsmen with meat, fibre for clothing, hide for shelter, manure
pellets for fuel, and offerings to their gods. - Most of the llamas in South America today are found in Peru, Bolivia and Chile. There
are an estimated 7 million llamas and alpacas (in approximately equal numbers) in South
America.
- Life span : About 15-25 years
- Height : 40-45" at the shoulder, 5’5"- 6’ at the head
- Weight: Mature llamas average 280-350 lbs., but can range from 250-500 lbs.
- Full body size is reached by the fourth year
- Males tend to be slightly larger than females
- Gestation: 350 days (average)
- Birthing
- A single baby "cria" is normally delivered without assistance from a standing
mother during daylight hours.
- Twins are rare and not a desirable trait in lamas.
- Reproduction:
- Maiden females are first bred at 18 to 24 months of age.
- Llamas do not have a heat cycle. Like cats, they are induced ovulators.
- Ovulation occurs 24-36 hours after breeding. They can, therefore, be bred at any time of
the year. New moms can be re-bred 2-3 weeks after birthing.
- The average male reaches breeding age by 20 months to 3 years of age and are fully grown
by 4.
- Colour: fibre ranges from black to white with shades of beige, brown, red and roan
in-between. Their colourful coats may be solid, spotted, or marked in a variety of
patterns.
- Health: Llamas and their ancestors are specially suited to the harsh environment of
their Andean homeland. They are hardy, healthy, easy to care for and remarkably disease
free as compared to other livestock. With our extreme Canadian temperatures a little extra
care during those hot and humid days or very cold and windy days will keep your llamas
happy and healthy. (see Llama Care )
- Llamas are a multi-stomached (3) ruminant that chews their cud. They have a hard upper
gum (no upper teeth in front), grinding upper and lower molars in back, and an ingenious
split upper lip for grasping forage in unison with the lower incisors. Adult males develop
large sharp upper and lower canines (wolf teeth) for fighting and which your veterinarian
can remove.
- Feet: Llamas are two toed with a broad leathery pad on the bottom and curved nails
in front.
- The small, oblong patches on the side of each rear leg are metatarsal scent glands,
suspected to be associated with the production of alarm pheromones. An additional scent
gland is located between the toes.
Are they intelligent?
Llamas are intelligent and easier to train than most other livestock. Once you have
gained their trust, in just a few repetitions, they will pick up and retain many
behaviours such as accepting a halter, being led, loading in and out of a vehicle, pulling
a cart or carrying a pack.
Can you use their fibre?
 Grease-free,
non-allergic, lightweight and very warm, llama fibre is a valuable commodity. Some llamas
have two distinct coats while others are known to have one. The single coat or the downy
undercoat gives them protection from both the cold and the heat. The two-coated llamas
have a distinct guard hair, which sheds moisture and debris more readily. On the average,
llama fibre grows between three and five inches per year. It may take one or two years to
grow back a full coat. The fibre is technically a tubular hair with an intermittent hollow
and solid core. This structure gives llama fibre a remarkable warmth and high durability.
Since it contains no lanolin or oils, it is very light-weight providing minimal
shrinkage during processing. It can be gathered by shearing or brushing. Single coated
fleeces with little to no guard hair are some of the finest known of all fleeces. When
properly processed, double-coated fleeces can produce wonderful knitted or woven pieces.
White fibre can be dyed any number of colours. Lighter hues of browns, greys and fawns can
be over dyed to create wonderful heathered effects. Garments made from llama or alpaca
fibre are extremely warm and if tightly knit are also water-resistant. The Canadian market
for llama fibre is diverse. As it is one of the finest natural fibres, it is a highly
sought after product.
Llama Careers
 Llamas are used for
breeding stock, packing, hiking, cart driving, fibre production, guardians, pets and 4H
projects. They also provide excellent therapeutic value and produce marketable fertilizer.
You will see a variety of llamas in parades and competing in the Show Rings.- Llamas have been readily accepted throughout Canada. Their establishment in the show
rings demonstrates this. Enthusiasm on the part of owners has thrust llamas into the
exhibition limelight. Llamas are judged in halter classes, performance events (including
carting), for the top fleeces as well as participate in Showmanship classes with their
handlers’ young and old.
 4H Llama clubs are
springing up all over BC and Canada. They offer an excellent opportunity for children to
learn responsibility, leadership and sportsmanship while having a great time. Llamas have
been found to be ideal for 4H children due to their sweet natures and willingness to
follow even the smallest child.
Guardians
The use of llamas to guard sheep herds, goats, cattle, deer and even ostriches. A
guardian llama must be comfortable with their target species (animals to be protected) to
be effective. Llamas are a non-lethal alternative in predator control. Choosing a guardian
must be done with some thought and knowledge of the specific llama. At 14 months one can
choose an animal that shows aggressive curiosity and an awareness of his surroundings. You
should see him stand his ground by 18 –24 months of age when confronted by strange
objects and shows a leave now response to a dog or coyote. Do not have unreasonable
expectations from your guardian llama. While he may successfully and aggressively ward off
coyotes or a dog, it is unreasonable to expect him to withstand and successfully protect
from pack attacks of intent coyotes, wolves, dogs or hungry cougar. Gelded males are the
most popular guardians. Intact males can pose a problem. Non-breeding females are just as
effective as geldings. One guardian llama generally works best and in conjunction with an
effort to restrict access by predators to the grazing areas with fences.
 41% of all sheep loses are from
canid predators (dogs, foxes and coyotes) Most llama/sheep introductions require only a
few days to adjust to each other. Many producers reported that guard llamas show intense
interest and attachment to young lambs. In one study the average ranch employed one gelded
llama pastured with 250-300 sheep on 250-300 acres. Sheep and lamb losses average 26 head
per year (11% of the flock) before using guard llamas and 8 head per year (3%) after use
of guard llamas….more than half of the guard llama owners reported close to a 100%
reduction from predator loses. Protectiveness of sheep and easy maintenance are the two
most commonly cited advantages.
Packing and Hiking
 Llamas are extremely sure-footed on all types of terrain and have been used as
beasts of burden for thousands of years. They are easy on the environment with their
padded feet, leaving little sign of their passing. The llama is a browser-grazer and needs
minimal food and water on the trail as compared to their equine friends.
An average llama can carry approximately 20 to 30 percent of its body weight, usually
70 to 100 Lbs., 12 to 15 kilometres per day if properly conditioned, or 5 to 8 miles. They
are not ridden except by small children. They are companions for many hikers and hunters.
Driving
Llamas can be trained to pull carts or wagons. An average llama has no problem pulling
a two wheeled cart with two adults as passengers. Since llamas are a herd animal they are
at their best in a double or triple hitch. It is often hard to tell who enjoys these
outings the most…the llamas or the owners.
Fertilizer
Because of the small-pelletized nature of llama dung, pasture maintenance is relatively
easy. Some entrepreneurs are drying, grinding and bagging the manure (a balanced 1:1:1
fertilizer) to supply organic growers, greenhouses and other retail outlets. Llama manure
is odour free, making it an excellent soil conditioner even for houseplants.
Do they spit?
Spitting is the llama way of saying, " Bug Off!"…. normally used among
llamas to ward off a perceived threat, discourage annoying suitors, or most commonly, to
establish pecking order at mealtime. An occasional llama that has been forced to tolerate
excessive human handling, may develop an intolerance for, or fear of, humans and will spit
if feeling threatened.
Why are Llamas so popular?
They are the easiest of all livestock to care for. They are clean, gentle and curious
creatures with endearing personalities. No one is exactly sure what it is about llamas,
but there is a real attraction that will even make old Fido jealous. Llamas are suitable
to large or small acreages, for old or young owners, for artisans or hikers. Breeders
receive a good return on their investments both in sales of top breeding stock and fibre.
What sounds do they make?
Llamas communicate with a series of ear; body and tail postures as well as a soft
humming sound to a shrill alarm which sounds a lot like both a horse and a turkey.
What is their personality like?
These highly social animals need the companionship of their own species or a suitable
companion species. Independent yet cautious, llamas are gentle and curious. Their calm
nature and common sense make them easy for anyone to handle, even children. Every llama
has a very different personality. Discovering these differences becomes a passion.
How much do they eat?
Llamas are a modified ruminant with a three-compartment stomach. They chew their cud
like cattle and sheep. Due to their low protein requirement and efficient digestive
system, llamas are economical to keep, consuming far less than a horse. Veterinary advice
should be sought regarding supplemental feed, vitamin and mineral requirements for
specific regions. At Arbour Ridge Ranch we offer a free choice mineral/salt mix to all the
adults. The weanlings are fed a calf-manna, dairy and grain mix in their creep feeder.
During the very cold winter months the adults are given a mixture of corn, oats and
barley. Adult llamas can eat up to one bale of low protein but high quality hay a week,
especially during the winter months when pasture is not available.
Shelter:
- A three-sided shelter is sufficient for the Interior of British Columbia. More Northern
areas may find a four-sided shelter with a door more suitable.
Catch pens:
- A small holding pen (10’X10’) aids in training and is very useful.
Trailering:
- Since Llamas usually lie down once in a trailer, four can easily be transported at one
time in a two-horse trailer.
Pastures and Fencing:
- In the summer many breeders practice field rotations to maximise forage yields. Males
used for breeding are best kept in their own field with a good 6 to 10’ runway
between them and other males or females. Fences 4’-6" to 5’ high are
generally adequate.
Vaccinations:
- Check with your veterinarian to determine any special vaccinations necessary for your
area. Generally a 7-Way vaccination once a year is sufficient. Breeding aged females are
vaccinated in the window between birthing and the next breeding. Cria are vaccinated with
a booster at 2 and 3 months of age and again at one year and annually there after.
Worming:
- Twice yearly, once in the spring and again in the fall after the first killing frost.
Oral Panacure or Ivomectin are excellent worming medications, however, it is best to know
the type of parasites you are addressing and use the appropriate wormer. Your
veterinarian can help determine the preferable wormer and schedule for your geographical
area.
Toe nails:
- As needed. Some rarely require trimming while others need trimming more than twice a
year.
Gelding:
- Pet quality males can be gelded as early as 9 months of age, but can be done at any time
afterward. Geldings are wonderful animals to work with and the most versatile.
Identification and Registration:
- We microchip our Cria at their first vaccination time (2-3 months of age) and register
them shortly afterwards. Many Canadian llamas are double registered (Canadian (C.L.R.C.)
and American (I.L.R.)).
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