Mayta Huacac's Llama Farm
Get introduced to the workhorse of the South, the so-called "American Camel".
The llama is an ungulate, or hoofed animal, of which there are a few mammalian orders:
- Artiodactyla (llamas)
- Cetacea (whales)
- Perissodactyla (horses)
- Proboscidea (elephants)
- Sirenia (manatees)
- Hyracoidea (hyraxes)
- Tubulidentata (aardvacks)
Of camels & llamas
The atriodactyla are even-toed ungulate, which includes pigs, hippos, cattle, goats, and of course llamas. Together camels and llamas form the Camelidae biological family, with shared characeristics such as three stomachs, split upper lips with both sides independently mobile, and long legs. Unlike its Old World cousin the llama has no humps, but the llama can adjust its feet pads to aid gripping in the steep, rocky terrain of its Andean habitat.
Llama Broods
The biological genus Lama has three members: the llama, the alpaca, and the guanaco. Another South American camelid is the vicuna, a close relative of the genus Lama. Together these four speices comprise the South American branch of the camelids.
The word llama ("YA-ma") is the traditional Peruvian word for the species. Whereas the Old World featured such stock animals as the horse and the ox, the llama is the sole New World equivalent. The ancients employed this animal due to its size and adaptability to labor. For example, the Spanish colonials used llamas to haul metal ore from their mines. Additional uses of the llama included meat, hide, and wool. In modern times, they have acquired the job of shepherd as they can protect a sheep herd from coyotes. While noted for their Andean habitat, the llama once roamed throughout central America and along the Rocky Mountains.
Llama Facts
The lifespan of a llama is between 15 to 30 years of age. At birth they may weigh between 20 to 30 pounds (10 to 14 kg), but will weigh 250 to 450 pounds (114 to 205 kg) in adulthood. The average height from head to hoof is between 5 to 6.5 feet (1.5 to 1.9 m). With two toes to a foot, the llama has a total of 8 toes. Llama shades include brown, black, peach, white, grey, roan, and spotted. Their wool is not greasy, but less desired for textiles than their South American siblings. Llamas are herd animals whose social behavior includes varied ear positions, spitting, humming, and posturing. A rolling llama is attempting to fluff the fiber of its wool, thereby ensuring its insolative property. Llamas prefer to urinate and defecate in a communally determined location.
Careful, they may...
Llamas can be quite ornery, which is a consequence of their easy spooking. One might tell if a llama is unhappy by the animal's initiation of clucking. This indicates that acid from its stomach has been moving forward towards the mouth. Spitting is a defense mechanism, the force of which can result in the bruising of the skin. However, the llama is most likely to avoid confrontation should that be an option.
Sources:
Llama, Camelid, Even-toed Ungulates, Ungulate, and Llamapaedia
Alarm Call |
Humming | Mating Orgle
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Featured August 10 , 2006
