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Everything You Ever Wanted Know About Llamas
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ABOUT LLAMAS
Llamas are one of four members of the camel family (camelids) native to the Western Hemisphere. The camel family first originated and evolved on the plains of North America (flourishing as recently as 10,000 to 12,000 years ago). The llama, a domesticated beast of burden, is regarded throughout the world as the premier symbol of South American animal life. Llamas, among the oldest domesticated animals in the world, are returning to the home of their ancestors. Most of the llamas in the United States and Canada originated from a few herds imported decades ago as curiosities by zoos and collectors such as William Randolph Hearst. A few are recent imports from Chile and Bolivia. Their increasing popularity, and resultant increase in the number of breeders and animals has assured the llama of a place in modern North America culture.
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Llamas communicate their moods with tail, body and ear positions, and with a variety of vocalizations. The adult male llama weighs between 250 and 500 pounds (average weight is 325 pounds), and is approximately 6 feet tall when full grown. Newborn babies weigh an average of 25 pounds and stand about 2 ˝ feet high. Wool colors include white, brown, black, beige, and grey in all combinations. A llamas coloring is not necessarily the same as that of its parents. Llamas are clean, essentially odor free, and defecate in just a few small areas. Their small pelletized manure, much like deer droppings, is easily gathered and is an excellent fertilizer. It’s soft like mulch and can be laid on a garden right away. There are no seeds in llama droppings, which makes its desirable for gardens.
From the ROCKY MOUNTAIN LLAMA AND ALPACA ASSOCIATION
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Sure-footed, low impact, the “hooves” are soft cushions that actually leave less impact on a trail than a sneaker.
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Intelligent – llamas as interested in us as we are in them and possess an inherent understanding and intelligence that lends itself in a special way to living with humans.
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Guard Llamas – ranchers have found that marauding coyotes with a taste for lamb usually don’t get past llama guards.
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 primallama@aol.com
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