About Camelids
Llamas are members of the Camelid family. The camelids originated on the central plains of North America about 40 million years ago. From there, about three million years ago, llama-like animals dispersed to South America. By the end of the last ice-age (10,000-12,000 years ago)the camelids were extinct in North America.Llamas were domesticated from guanacos in the Andean Highlands of Peru 4,000-5,000 years ago, and are among the oldest domestic animals in the world. Primarily a beast of burden, they also provide native herdsmen with meat, fiber for clothing, hides for shelter and manure pellets for fuel.
Today they are used for breeding stock, packing, driving, fiber production, therapy, and pets. Llamas are intelligent and easy to train. In just a few repetitions they will pick up and retain many behaviors such as accepting a halter, being led, loading in and out of a vehicle, pulling a cart or carrying a pack. They often carry 25-30 percent of their body weight for 5-8 miles, but are not ridden except by children.
Llamas are a modified ruminant with a three-compartment stomach. They chew their cud like cattle and sheep. Due to their low protein requirement and efficient digestive system, llamas are economical to keep. Veterinary advice should be sought regarding feed, vitamin, and mineral requirements for specific regions.
These highly social animals need the companionship of their species. Independent yet shy, llamas are gentle and curious. Their calm nature and common sense make them easy for anyone, even children, to handle.
Spitting is the llamas way of saying "Bug OFF!" Normally used among
llamas to ward off a perceived threat, discourage annoying suitors or
most commonly, to establish pecking order at mealtime, an occasional
llama who has been forced to tolerate excessive human handling may have
developed an intolerance for, or fear of, humans and will spit if it
feels threatened.
Alpaca is a domesticated member of the Camelid family derived from the vicugna and have been bred for thousands of years. They are kept in herds in the Andes mountains, Chile and Bolivia. Estimates of the total number of Alpacas are around two million animals living in the Andes. Their wool is used for making ponchos, and other types of clothing. Interbreds of Alpacas and llamas are called huarizos. Alpacas may communicate using soft hums or other vocalizations, and with body language, such as neck posturing, ear and tail positioning, and head tilt. They can become 15 - 20 years of age.
Alpacas come in 22 natural colors. Alpacas are not killed for their product, instead they produce a renewable cash crop in the form of their fiber
The alpaca is a cousin of the llama, but one-half to one-third the size
Alpacas are one of the oldest domesticated breeds of livestock The Alpaca has a royal heritage rooted in Ancient South American cultures Alpacas are an environmentally friendly livestock producing a natural fiber used in elegant end products The Alpaca Industry is well established in the United States and has been expanding for almost 20 years
The alpaca, whose scientific name is lama pacos, is the most numerous of the four South American camelid species (llamas, vicuñas, alpacas and guanacos).
LLAMA and ALPACA ... Physical Facts
- Life span....about 15 - 25 years
- Weight.....avg. range - 250 to 450 lbs. for Llamas, 110 to 185 lbs for Alpacas
- Gestation.....345 days(average)
- Birth.....A single baby "cria" is normally delivered standing mother during the daylight. Twins are rare.
- Babies.....Birth weights average 18 to 40 lbs (Llama), 16 to 25 lbs (Alpaca). Crias are normally up and nursing within 90 minutes. They are weaned at about 6 months.
- Reproduction.....Females are first bred at 18 to 24 months of age. Lamas do not have a heat cycle, but are induced ovulators (ovulation occurs 24-36hours after breeding). Thus they can be bred at any time during the year.
- Health.....Because lamas and their ancestors are specially suited to the harsh environment of their Native homeland, North American owners will find them hardy, healthy, easy to care for, and remarkably disease-free.