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The Lives and Times of the Llama
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Once they migrated via the newly formed Panamanian Land Bridge and settled into a new environment in the high plains and Andean regions of Peru, Paraguay and Bolivia, these prehistoric creatures evolved into llamas, alpacas, guanacos and vicunas,or New WorldCamels. Others of their kind migrated to Asia across a land bridge and adapted by becoming camels, or Old World Camels. Camels and llamas are both in the "camelid" group, sharing the physical characteristics of a long, thin neck, small head, three-chambered stomach, and a cleft upper lip which makes them notorious spitters. Both species are grazers that thrive in the arid high plains and deserts. Although the New World camels are camelids, they are not considered "true" camels because they have no humps, their skulls are more dome-shaped to accomodate a larger brain, and their molars have a different shape. All camelids' move with both of the legs on one side stepping at the same time, which gives them a swaying gait. Their famous sure-footedness is supported by feet of two toes on rough pad. After llamas were domesticated by the Incas, they became vital part of Inca life. A parallel can be drawn between the relationship of Incas and llamas to the North American Plains people and the bison.Both animals were sources of the necessities of life - food, fiber, fuel and shelter. Both also figured prominently in religious ceremonies. Unlike the bison,llamas and alpacas were domesticated. The Incas practiced some very advanced forms of animal husbandry, breeding these animals for the best wool as well as for strength as beasts of burden. To this day, as in the ancient times, males and barren females are sacrificed in religious ceremonies. For thousands of years, llama wool or fiber has been woven into cloth. Traditionally, vicuna and alpaca fiber was finer and reserved for the higher classes. Llama meat was eaten fresh or salted and dried like jerky, as it still is today. Parts of their intestines were used as medicine by the Incas. As the Inca Empire expanded, llamas were used more and more for beasts of burden to maintain trade over long distances. When the Spaniards arrived in the 1500s, llamas were replaced by sheep in most areas except in the far-flung mountain regions. In the late 1800s, zoos and private animal collectors suddenlyb became interested in llamas and brought them back to their old North American home. Today there are around seven million llamas and alpacas in South America and about 80,000 to 100,00 in the U.S. and Canada. At birth a llama weighs anywhere from 18 to 30 pounds and can grow to between 250 and 400 pounds. The mother llama carries the baby for 350 days. Usually only one baby llama or cria is born at a time. Twins are rare. The birth normally takes place during the daytime. Crias are weaned at 6 months. The average llama life span is 20 years. Llamas are a very hardy species, able to live well in almost any climate. As with any livestock, they need to be wormed and vaccinated. Otherwise, they usually remain healthy. Llamas can be white, gray, red, black, brown, spotted or tricolor. They should be sheared once a year, in the springtime. The llama is an earth-friendly creature! Its feet, softly padded and with only two toenails, mark the ground less than a pair of hiking boots. Despite their light tread, they are incredibly strong. A llama can carry 25-30% of their own body weight, which is just as strong if not stronger than a horse. They forage so efficiently that their grazing has less impact on plant life than deer. In fact, foraging can supply all of their food needs if they have good grazing grounds. If not, they may need up to two pounds of hay daily. Usually it costs less to feed a llama than it does to feed a dog. Even their droppings are amazingly efficient. Llamas deposit their pelletlike dung similar to a deer's, almost odorless, in a communal dung heap, which makes flies and parasites much less of a problem. Is it any wonder these intelligent, gentle animals have been living and working with humans for 6,000 years? Sources: www.llama.org www.llamapack.com http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fossilhall/Library/Llama/Llama.htm - Florida Museum of Natural History, Hall of Florida Fossils
Llama at Machu Picchu photo - Wikipedia Commons |
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THE FOOD AND DRINK OF INTI RAIMI
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