Llama

STATUSUndetermined - Domestic Species

COMMON NAME (SCIENTIFIC NAME)Lama glama

DIETLeaves, seeds, nuts, low shrubs, lichens, roots

RANGENative to Andes mountains, domesticated worldwide

HABITATMountainous regions, pastures, grasslands

  • Not yet evaluated
  • Least Concern
  • Near threatened
  • Vulnerable
  • Endangered
  • Critically Endangered
  • Extinct in the wild
Llama

Llamas are a subspecies domesticated from the guanaco. They are related to camels, alpacas, and vicunas. Llamas are used heavily in the Andes instead of horses or mules because they do not suffer from mountain sickness at high altitudes. They are able to carry about 20% of their body weight (roughly 50 – 80 pounds). Llamas are a common domestic animal with nearly 7 million individuals living in South America and over 100,000 living in the US and Canada.