llamas

Llamas (Lama glama) are domesticated South American camelids widely used as pack animals and for wool. They are related to the guanaco, alpaca, and vicuña and were domesticated by Andean cultures thousands of years ago. Today they are raised in many parts of the world for agriculture, transport, and companionship.

Llamas are tall, with a long neck, and have large ears and a soft, dense fleece that comes in a wide range of colors and patterns. They typically stand about 1.8 meters tall at the head and weigh roughly 130 to 200 kilograms. They possess a three-chambered stomach, enabling efficient digestion of fibrous forage such as grasses, a trait well suited to high-altitude environments and low-quality vegetation.

Behavior and uses: Llamas are social herd animals that communicate through vocalizations and body language. They can carry loads up to about 25% of their body weight and are sometimes used to guard flocks of sheep. They may spit to deter threats or when irritated, a behavior most common during social disputes or when stressed.

Reproduction and management: Llamas breed year-round in some regions, with a typical gestation of about 11.5 months yielding a single cria. The fleece is commercially valuable; llama fiber is coarser than alpaca fiber but durable and used for textiles and insulation.

Conservation: Llamas are not endangered as a domestic species. Wild relatives such as the guanaco and vicuña are protected in their native habitats.