The Llama as pet
Belonging to the camel family, the llamas are endemic to the South American countries. They are social animals and prefer roaming around in groups.
Llama origin and history
Scientists believe that the llamas originated in the central plains of North America about 40 million years ago and later migrated towards the south of the American continent. These animals were made use of by human beings since the Andean culture and pre-Hispanic times. The Incas were the original domesticators of the llamas which took place around 4000 BC. Throughout the Inca era, these animals were controlled by the state authority llama herders. People of the Moche civilization used parts of llama in the burials of significant people. Even the Spanish conquistadors made extensive use of this animal. To this date, the llama plays an important role among the South Americans and their culture.
Llama anatomy and breeding
The llamas are shorter in height than the camels with slight resemblance to the skull of the latter. They have a narrow foot and they do not have a hump like the camels. Llamas have a short woolly tail. Commonly they do not have eyelashes. Their average lifespan ranges from 15-30 years and the standard height of a llama varies from 5 to 6 feet.
The reproductive cycle of a llama is rather unusual for a large animal. Male llamas mate with females in a lying down position which is fairly strange for a large animal and the dams (female llama) gives birth to young ones standing. Baby llamas are known as crias. When a cria is born, it is surrounded by all the dams, protecting the former from their male counterparts and other predators.
Social behavior in llama
Llamas are very social animals and if trained properly, they can turn out to be pleasant companion. Intensely curious in nature, one can find llamas easily approachable. However over-socialized llamas can become difficult to tackle once they grow up. If they start treating humans as one of their own species, it might result in bouts of spitting, neck wrestling and kicking. But if properly reared, spitting at humans tend to become a rare phenomenon.
Llamas usually roam around in herds and sometimes they pick up small fights to maintain their rank in the herd. Fight between two llamas is dramatic and is fun to watch. The fight generally comprises kicking, spitting, neck wrestling or shoving each other with their chests. The female takes resort to spitting as a means of controlling the other members of the herd.
Llama as guard
The llama has turned out to be a favorable guard animal for the livestock in general. Countless livestock owners have witnessed great results when they kept llamas in the pasture with animals such as sheep and goats. They pose as excellent guards for animals smaller than themselves.
Llama as pets
Though a little bizarre, llamas can be adopted as pets and they do make good pets. Nonetheless one should keep certain things in mind before adopting a one. One should preferably have a house with a large enough backyard for the animal to roam around. It is advised that you let the llama come to you than vice versa. Preferably keep them with flocks of sheep or any other livestock. High quality hay is a recommended food for the llamas. They can also be fed on the commercial food available in the market. Sometimes carrots, other vegetables and fruits can be supplemented in their diet. Avoid overfeeding as it may cause breeding problems. Annual vaccination and regular de-worming is very much essential for a pet llama. Do not forget to give your llama a regular bath with a good shampoo. Always hand- groom your llama. If you treat llamas with love and compassion, they will return you with the same.