Packing
Llamas have been used for thousands of years (literally!)
as pack animals. They are the animals who carried all of the items for the Incan civilization in South America on their
backs. Not having been there at the time, I can't tell you exactly what was worn, but even today llamas are used in
increasing numbers for this purpose, even here in North America and around the world.
Their padded two-toes on their feet are a low-impact, highly stable mode
of transportation. Llamas can carry up to 20 - 25% of their body weight, which means they can accomodate an average
of 65 - 75 pounds of gear. They do need to be conditioned to carry this amount of weight for extended times, so I would
not recommend tossing 75 pounds of camping gear onto a llama's back and trekking 20 miles the first day.
One thing to consider when deciding on which llama would be right for you and
your packing ambitions is the conformation of the llama. Packing can be strenuous work, and work animals need to not
break down early from use. Dropped pasterns, sway backs, knock-kneed legs are just some of the things that could prove
to be extremely detrimental to a proposed packer. Do your homework ahead of time and learn what to look for BEFORE purchasing
an animal. This is time well-spent.
Fiber/Fleece Production
Llamas have a coat of hair called fleece. It is also called fiber (vs the
more commonly used term "wool"). This fiber is extermely warm, lightweight, slightly water-repellant, has no lanolin,
and can be extremely soft and luxurious. Most people have heard of the alpacas' fine fleece, but they fail to realize
that the llamas' fleece also has much value.
Fleeces from llamas range anywhere from below 20 microns to past 30 microns.
There are double-coated fleeces (very fine undercoat with a coat of guard hairs mixed in), single-coat fleeces (fibers are
not so broadly ranged in the micron count) and the newest 'fad' called suri fleeces.
Llama fiber is easily shorn, cleaned, carded and spun into beautiful, luxurious
yarns, and these yarns are excellent for both knitting and crocheting as well as being used for weaving projects.
(see page on Llama Fiber)
Pets/Companions
The majority of llama owners in this country own 2 or 3 llamas as pets.
Their inquisitive, constant curiousity about the world around them make llamas a delightful animal to spend some time with.
Llamas also get along with many other animals, and have been housed together
with alpacas, goats, sheep, and in some cases even horses.
With their unique personalities, llamas can quickly become the favorite pets
in the yard, as well as favored companions. You don't have to "pack" with your llamas if you have no where to pack to
- llamas love even just a nice walk around the neighborhood with you.
Showing
There are several show associations in this country specifically for llamas,
ranging anywhere from pack trails to family related county fair shows to highly competitive futurity shows.
Halter classes are a very popular activity for many llama owners and breeders.
These classes are judged based mainly on the conformation of the llama, as well as proper movement since llamas are also
used for carrying loads.
Performance classes at these shows offer the public a chance to see llamas performing
many of the tasks that they are asked to do when they are out on the trail or even visiting at nursing homes. They also
give the owners the chance to show off what their training can do.
Showing is a great way to be able to get out and do something fun with your llamas.
An added benefit is being able to meet some other llama owners and enthusiasts.
Breeding
Breeding llamas is a passion for many people around the United States and Canada.
It usually follows either a passion for the show ring or a passion for genetics. Breeding just any female llama to any
male llama and producing a cria is not what I am referring to as breeding.
Breeding is a big responsibility and involves being able to find good homes for
any llama produced. It involves a pre-determined mating of two llamas who both have positive attributes to contribute
to the next generation of llamas.
With that said, being a llama breeder can be a seriously fun and fulfilling job.
Having a set breeding program involving specific goals is always a good way to have a head start on others who don't.
It can also prove to be more rewarding, as your crias will be more in demand than others, making your objective of being able
to find good homes for your production a reality.
Having over 10 years of experience in raising and breeding llamas, I am always happy
to talk to anyone interested in breeding llamas. Bloodlines and color inheritance are two special 'hobbies' of mine.
Pulling Carts
Yes, llamas are capable of being trained to pull carts with up to two people
in them. There are some llama people who even make special carts designed specifically for use with llamas. Not
all llamas have the right demeanor and personality for cart pulling, but it's amazing how many can be trained to do this.
There's nothing like a ride in a cart being pulled by yes, LLAMAS!
Guardians
Llamas also make extremely effective guards against some predators who go after
sheep herds, goats and even alpacas. Ranging anywhere from 275 to 400+ pounds and standing sometimes above 6 feet, llamas
are very intimidating to predators such as coyotes, foxes and even most dogs.
There are cases after documented cases of sheep herds who have added a guardian
llama to their herd and not only reduced but eliminated any losses to predators. Llamas are very protective of
their 'herd', and while they don't have teeth like those of predators, they can use their legs to kick very effectively, both
front and rear.
Llamas are intelligent animals, and they do normally distinguish between the
family dog and a strange dog. While our Australian Shepherd Kylie can pretty much go as she pleases in the corral, any
new dog is strictly inspected, harrassed and usually is too scared of these big, 'furry', unafraid creatures and won't come
back into the corral.
Since there are so many different personalities in llamas, not all llamas make
good guard llamas. Some llamas actually like dogs very much, as well as other small animals, and some llamas just do
NOT like dogs - any dogs. It is usually very obvious which llamas like and dislike dogs. Also, a good guard llama
needs to be able to adopt another herd besides a llama herd. Most llamas will protect automatically, but being able
to transfer that protection to another species alone is a distinctive quality.
Since most llamas need companionship of other llamas, the single guard llama
needs to be watched for loneliness. Llamas can get very lonely without other llamas around.
