Llamas are intelligent, curious, versatile, gentle and aloof, low-maintenance livestock traditionally used as pack animals and fiber production. They are the larger cousin to the alpaca (which is primarily a fiber producer). Domesticated by the Incas thousands of years ago, these sure-footed animals were bred for their athleticism and disposition.
Today, llamas are used more recreationally. While still working as packers for many outfitters and as fiber producers for handspinners and cottage industry, they are also popular as pets, show animals, 4-H projects, guardians for other livestock, companion animals, therapy, hiking, cart driving, land use or simply as live "pasture ornaments."
Llamas, like all members of the camelid family, do spit. It is a defense mechanism and social behavior. They will spit at each other over food or territory. However, it is rare that a happy, well-adjusted llama will arbitrarily spit at people. If you encounter a llama that spits readily at a person for no apparent reason, it is likely that llama has been mistreated (abuse or petting zoos), bottle fed, or overly handled as a baby.
Our llamas are raised for show, breeding, pets, pack animals and for the fiber. We have some of the finest stock in the country. If you are looking to enhance your pastures and your life, llamas may be right for you. Give us a call to plan a visit.
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| Relatives to the llama... |
Alpacas are a partially domesticated South American mammal. In the Inca terms: Lama pacos.
Genetic studies have shown the alpaca is a descendant of the Vicuna. Although the flesh is sometimes used for food, the animal is bred chiefly for its long, lustrous wool, which varies from black, through shades of brown, to white.
Alpacas are half the size of llamas, and half the intelligence. Alpacas more resemble sheep in the personalities.
Our way of explaining the difference between alpaca's and llama's is this:
Llamas are like a standard poodle. They are very useful, hard working, always trying to please you, and very affectionate animals.
Where as Alpacas are like a tea cup poodles. They are cute but very hyper, easily frightened, aloof animals.
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The Guanaco or Huanaco, is wild mammal of the camelid family. Still found wild on arid plains in the Andes Mts. It is the tallest of the Lama family; And in the camelid family, it is second in height behind than the Camel.
Previously, the Guanaco was regarded by some authorities as the ancestor of the domestic llama and alpaca; genetic studies have shown that only the llama is descended from it. The guanaco is not domesticated, but indigenous South Americans use its flesh for food and make its hide into clothing and other coverings and its bones into various implements. The guanaco's number have been dropping. It's now an endangered species.
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Vicuna's are the rarest of the camelid family. They are also the wildest member. The Vicuna was almost extinct in 2003. Luckily, numbers have been on the rise since then.
Vicuna's are considered to be more elegant & graceful in their movements compared to the Guanaco. They are also smaller than half the size of the Guanaco. They are closer in height to the Alpaca.
Although their coats may look thin, they are made up of insulating hairs that are softer and warmer than any other animal. Even more so than the Alpaca! Its long, woolly coat is tan brown on the back, and the fiber on the throat an chest is white and longer then the rest of the coat.
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