Llama FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Llama History

Llamas are members of the camelid family. Forty million years ago the ancestor of the llama roamed the central plains of North America. This ancient animal eventually migrated to Asia, Africa and South America where they evolved into llamas, alpacas, vicuna, guanacos, and bactrian and dromedary camels.

Domesticated for at least 4000 years, llamas and alpacas were central to the Incan culture. For the native people of the Andes, the llama continues to be a beast of burden and a source of fiber and meat. Even the pelleted manure can be used for fuel.

Q: What are llamas used for?
A: The uses of llamas can be understood better by becoming familiar with llama characteristics. Llamas are owned and raised for many purposes, and are classified as livestock by the USDA. Llamas traditionally make superior pack animals for extended camping expeditions, day trips or even a picnic. They have even been trained to caddy on golf courses. A mature pack llama can carry about 1/4 of its body weight. Llamas can be ridden, but only by children on special llama saddles.

Some llamas make excellent guard animals for flocks of sheep against coyotes and other predators. A neutered adult will bond with the herd and protect it. This is the one exception to the recommendation not to have a single llama.

Q: What is the llama's temperament?
A: Llamas are intelligent, independent, aloof, curious, gentle, relatively easy to train and exhibit a lot of common sense. They are a very social herd animal and usually require the companionship of their own species.

Q: I've heard that llamas make great pack animals. Why is this so?
A: Llamas are sure-footed and environmentally friendly, their two-toed feet with nails and leathery bottoms, similar to a dog's pad, do less damage to the environment than a hiking boot. They require very little carried food on the trail compared to other pack animals. This and their tendency to browse rather than graze make their impact on natural forage minimal.

Q: Why are llamas such great companion animals?
A: Llamas are owned by many people who are intrigued by their calm nature, intelligence and gentleness. Llamas are good with children and they are used in many 4-H programs in the US and Canada. Llamas can be trained to be in parades, pull carts, visit schools and nursing homes, or just be a friend to spend a quiet afternoon with.

Llamas are used in animal-assisted therapy and are routinely taken into hospitals, nursing homes and mental health facilities.

Q: Are llamas shown in competition?
A: There is an active llama show association (ALSA) and many llama owners enjoy the competition of the show ring. Numerous shows are held in the Mid-Atlantic area and the show season culminates with a series of regional shows, and finally a national show for llamas that have qualified.

Q: How does llama wool differ from sheep's wool?
A: Llama fiber contains no lanolin so many people who are allergic to sheep wool can wear llama fiber. It is a hollow fiber, which makes it warmer and lighter and is highly prized by spinners, knitters, felters and weavers as a superior fiber for sweaters, hats, stoles and other garments.

Q: Are there additional uses for llamas you haven't told me about?
A: Llamas are also raised as breeding stock. Different breeders may breed for specific traits such as fiber quality, or simply a better animal than its parentage. The thrill of producing a baby is universal. Babies (crias) are a joy to watch playing and cavorting in the field.

In fact, the uses of llamas are only limited by our imaginations. A warning should be placed here for what is known among llama owners as "llama fever." Llama fever is highly contagious, and there is no known cure. Except maybe owning more llamas. The symptoms vary, but include talking about your llamas endlessly, visiting other llama farms at every opportunity, being totally smitten with your new friends and spending every possible moment with them.