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Lama glama
Llama range
Habitat: The Andean highlands, especially southeast Peru and western Bolivia, is the natural habitat of llama. These plateaus are covered with low growth, including various shrubs stunted trees and grasses. The northern reaches are reasonably temperate and mountainous, whereas the south is drier, desert-like and inhospitable. Llamas are known to inhabit elevations no greater than 4,000 meters above sea level.
Diet: Llamas browse on low shrubs, lichens, and mountain vegetation. Llamas make use of native shrubs and grasses. Llamas tend to live in very dry climates and get most of the moisture from their food. Llamas consume about 2 to 3 gallons of water, and 1.8% of their body weight in dry food (grass, hay) per day.
Reproduction: Llamas are polygamous. Male llamas gather a harem of about 6 females into a designated territorial region and then aggressively drive away all other male llamas of breeding age, “foreign” llamas, and predators that come into the area. Gestation takes about 360 days, and the female llama gives birth to one cria (infant llama) almost every year. Crias are able to run about an hour after being born. Newborn llamas weigh about 10 kg and crias are nursed for 4 months. Sexual maturity occurs at the age of 2 years. Female llamas are responsible for the bulk of parental care. Female llamas protect and care for the cria until it is about one year old. Male llamas provide some indirect care for the young by defending a territory to provide access to sufficient grazing resources for the females and younger members of their group. When the crias are about a year old, the male drives them off.
Physical description: Llamas have long necks, limbs, rounded muzzles, protruding lower incisors, and a cleft upper lip. Llamas are the largest member of their family. They have long shaggy pelage which varies greatly in color. A common coat pattern is reddish brown fur with mottled patches of white or yellow. Llamas are fairly large mammals standing about 1.21 m at the shoulder and about 1.2 m in length from head to tail. Adult llamas can weigh from 130 to 155 kg.
Behavior: Llamas are gregarious and highly social, living in groups of up to 20 individuals. Llama groups consist of about 6 breeding females and their offspring from the current year. This group is led by a male llama that aggressively defends his position by engaging in dominance fighting. This fighting consists of the male trying to wrestle the opponent (a usurping male) to the ground by biting his limbs and wrapping his own long neck around his opponent’s. Dominance is achieved when the opponent has been pushed to the ground and has properly submitted to the victor. Llama submission stance is lying sideways on the ground with the neck lowered, and the tail raised.
Llamas are very vocal, using a variety of low and yammering calls. Llamas make especially distinct vocalizations in the presence of predators to warn other group members of danger. Llamas are aggressive towards predators and have been reported charging, kicking, biting, and spitting at those they deem a threat.
Status: Common
Fun Facts:
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Llamas have three stomachs and are ruminants. When kept as domestic animals llamas adapt well to the same diet as sheep and goats. |
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Llamas are domesticated animals, and so are inherently important to human economies. The thick, coarse wool of llamas is valuable. These animals are sheared every two years, yielding about 3 kg of fleece. |
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Llamas have also been used as golf caddies and as farmyard pets. Historically llamas were used to haul loads over the Andean mountains because of their ability to carry burdens in excess of 60 kg for up to 30 km per day. |
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